Drowned Wirral teenager Hayley Holmes laid to rest by heartbroken family and friends in moving service

Sep 10 2011 by Gemma Jaleel, Liverpool Echo

HUNDREDS of heartbroken family and friends said goodbye to drowned Wirral teenager Hayley Holmes.

Crowds of mourners in bright, colourful clothes packed out the South Chapel at Landican Crematorium in Woodchurch for the funeral yesterday.

Earlier, girls from Upton Hall School lined the school drive in silence as Hayley’s funeral cortege drove through the grounds.

The 17-year-old’s white coffin was carried into the chapel by six pallbearers wearing light pink shirts, including Hayley’s dad, Mike, and soon after the song, Amazing, by Bruno Mars, was played.

A loud speaker broadcast the service to a mass of people gathered outside the chapel.

Deacon Dave Morris opened the service, saying it would be “a celebration of Hayley’s life”.

Hayley’s family, including mum, Lisa, watched as younger sister Keely paid tribute to her “beautiful big sister”.

She said: “You were my role model, my inspiration, my world and I know you are looking down on me.

“You are the brightest star in the sky.”

Songs including Coldplay’s Fix You, Dakota by Stereophonics, Angel by Westlife and Chris Brown and Justin Bieber’s Next To You were also played during the service.

Deacon Morris described how Hayley was a very popular girl with lots of friends.