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Hannah Witheridge: Hemsby funeral for Thai murder victim Hannah Witheridge: Hemsby funeral for Thai murder victim
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of mourners have turned out for the funeral of a 23-year-old British woman murdered in Thailand.Hundreds of mourners have turned out for the funeral of a 23-year-old British woman murdered in Thailand.
Hannah Witheridge, from Hemsby in Norfolk, died along with fellow British tourist David Miller, 24, in an attack on Koh Tao island last month.Hannah Witheridge, from Hemsby in Norfolk, died along with fellow British tourist David Miller, 24, in an attack on Koh Tao island last month.
About 200 people gathered inside St Mary's Church in Hemsby to pay their respects, with speakers also relaying the service to people outside.About 200 people gathered inside St Mary's Church in Hemsby to pay their respects, with speakers also relaying the service to people outside.
Mourners dressed in bright colours at the request of the family. Mourners dressed in bright colours at the request of Ms Witheridge's family.
The family said it wanted to create the theme of a wedding and asked for no floral tributes, but for people to donate to a local animal rescue charity. They said they wanted to create the theme of a wedding and asked for no floral tributes, but for people to donate to a local animal rescue charity.
A white horse-drawn hearse with a mounted police escort arrived at the church at 11:00 BST after a short journey from Ms Witheridge's family home.
During the service Ms Witheridge's father Tony, sisters Tania and Laura, and brother Paul gave readings, with the Reverend Charles Powles inviting the congregation to join in with prayers for the trainee speech and language therapist.
Mourners heard songs by artists John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, One Direction and Ed Sheeran and there was a loud applause during the final moments of the service.
A private burial took place behind the church, with a marquee erected to ensure privacy for the family.
At the scene
Zoe Applegate, BBC News
The sun shone brightly over Hannah's home village on an unseasonably warm day as about 200 brightly dressed mourners filed in to St Mary's church. Large crowds gathered on the street opposite.
Mourners were asked to dress as though they were attending a wedding for what one guest called a "celebration" of Hannah's life.
The family requested a police horse lead the procession because of the 23-year-old's love of horses, just ahead of four white horses adorned with plumes of purple feathers pulling a white carriage containing her coffin.
Her mother Sue held hands with Hannah's sisters, who were all wearing floral head garlands. Father Tony and brother Paul also marched behind with close friends as silence fell on the street.
Mr Miller's family are not at the private service, Norfolk Police said. His funeral took place in Jersey last week.Mr Miller's family are not at the private service, Norfolk Police said. His funeral took place in Jersey last week.
Two Burmese workers, whose names were given only as Saw and Win, are said to have confessed to killing the pair, who were discovered on a beach on Koh Tao on 15 September.
Deputy police chief spokesman Col Kissana Phathanacharoen said the two suspects, both aged 21, had been charged with three offences; conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to rape, and robbery.
Ms Witheridge's family have previously described her as a "fun, vibrant and beautiful young woman who will be sorely missed by all who knew her."Ms Witheridge's family have previously described her as a "fun, vibrant and beautiful young woman who will be sorely missed by all who knew her."
Two Burmese workers, whose names were given only as Saw and Win, are said to have confessed to killing the pair, who were discovered on a beach on Koh Tao on 15 September.
Deputy police chief spokesman Col Kissana Phathanacharoen said the two suspects, both 21, had been charged with three offences; conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to rape, and robbery.
However, it was reported on Thursday night that the two men had retracted their confessions, claiming they were made under duress.
The Foreign Office said it was "concerned" about reports the pair have been mistreated by Thai police and had raised those concerns with the relevant authorities.