Georgia Williams' funeral a celebration of her life

Georgia's friends decked out the route of her funeral cortege with the ribbons, in the teenager's favourite colours, ahead of the funeral service at All Saints' Church.

Meanwhile, hundreds of air cadets who marched to the church from their headquarters in King Street under police escort and pupils from Ercall Wood Technology College, where Georgia was head girl, joined mourners including Georgia's mother Lynnette, father Stephen, and older sister Scarlett.

In accordance with her family's wishes, most of the mourners wore bright colours in a celebration of her life.

The body of 17-year-old Georgia was found in North Wales two weeks ago, after a nationwide search. She went missing after telling her family she was staying with friends.

Ahead of the service, the Reverend Mark Ireland said: "We are privileged to have been asked to host the funeral of Georgia Williams and we hope it will be a significant opportunity for the whole community to come together as one to celebrate Georgia's life.

"We are glad the young people of Wellington seem naturally drawn to the church as a place of comfort and support in times of distress and we know this will be a source of great comfort to the family, to see people from all parts of Wellington here for Georgia. I hope the service will also be a source of comfort."

The cortege passed Georgia's fellow students paying their respects outside New College in King Street and air cadets from local squadrons formed a guard of honour for the mourners entering the church before the service at about 2.15pm. Twenty police cadets marched into the church in ranks of two as the church bells started to sound. Silence fell as the wicker coffin was taken from the hearse into the church followed by Georgia's family and boyfriend Matthew Bird.

The service was relayed by loudspeakers to hundreds of mourners who stood outside once the church had reached its 450 capacity.

Mr Ireland said that the service was starting with All Things Bright and Beautiful at the request of Georgia's family as it "reflected Georgia's character".

Georgia's father Stephen, a detective constable with West Mercia Police, read a poignant poem to the teenager written by her friends.

He said: "We thought of you today. But that is nothing new. We thought of you yesterday And the days before that too.

"We think of you in silence We often speak your name. Now all we have is memories. And your picture in a frame. Your memory is our keepsake, with which we will never part. God now has you in his keeping Georgia, but we all have you in our hearts."

Georgia's college friend Dan Crossley sang Georgia's Song, a touching tribute he wrote while Georgia was still missing.

Father Alban Greenwood, from St Patrick's Catholic Church in Wellington, also paid tribute to the teenager. St Patrick's was not big enough to hold Georgia's funeral.

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard, whose constituency covers Wellington, was among the mourners. Also present were Lee Carter, the chairman of AFC Telford United, and the club's commercial manager Paul Riley.

Ercall Wood headteacher Chay Davies paid his own tribute to the teenager, who he had described as a "shining star". There was also a tribute to Georgia, who had dreamed of joining the RAF, from Flight Lieutenant Philippa Bartlett, commanding officer of 1130 Air Cadet Squadron of which Georgia was a member.

As the coffin left the church, it was accompanied by the strains of Keeping the Dream Alive by Munchener Freiheit – the anthem of Georgia's beloved AFC Telford United.

Jamie Reynolds, 22, of Avondale Road, Wellington, has been charged with her murder and remanded in custody to September 6.

• See further coverage in Saturday's Shropshire Star