As her family pays a final tribute, police open the family album of crossbow victim Suzanne Blamires (Video)

Speaking at the funeral service for Suzanne Blamires, whose remains were found in the River Aire in Shipley, West Yorkshire, on May 25, her mother, Nicky, read a poem to the gathered mourners.

She told the congregation in Bradford's St Columba's Church: "We thought we understood heartache. It has landed on our door before.

"But the pain and loss at losing you, Suzanne, will live with us forever more.

"We are not gathered in a gloom-filled room, there are no heads bowed low.

"We are thinking about how much we love you, and how hard it is to let you go.

"You have taken the journey we all must take.

"But we take comfort as we know you are reunited with your much- loved dad and it is time to let you go."

As she spoke, police released pictures of Ms Blamires, 36, during her younger life.

She went missing from Bradford's red light district four days before her remains were discovered.

At the opening of the inquest into her death last month, Coroner Roger Whittaker said a post-mortem examination found the cause of her death to be serious injuries caused by a crossbow.

Criminology student Stephen Griffiths, 40, is charged with murdering Ms Blamires between May 20 and May 25.

He is also charged with the murder of two other women, Shelley Armitage, 31, and 43-year-old Susan Rushworth, who were also sex workers in the city.

Today, dozens of mourners gathered to pay their respects to Ms Blamires, who had hoped to train as a nurse.

Father Frank Smith told them: "Today is a day for Nicky and her family to find some peace and be allowed to grieve in private.

"As a parish we offer them our condolences, our prayers and our support in whatever way we can.

"To lose a child is one of the most difficult things anyone will have to deal with in their lives but through Faith and the support of friends and family, this will hopefully be made a little easier for Suzanne's family."

Ms Blamires' white coffin, which was covered in flowers, was taken to the church in a horse-drawn hearse.

On the roof were two further floral tributes. On one side was the name "Suzanne" in red and white flowers and on the other was the word "Sister" in yellow and white flowers.

The hearse was pulled to the church gates by two black horses and led by two white horses sporting red plumes.

About 20 members of Ms Blamires' family followed the hearse in cars as it crept along the A650 Tong Street at walking pace.

The coffin was carried the short distance into the 1950s church by members of her family.

Around 40 people followed it into the building, some in tears.

Church officials estimated that about 200 people, including many local parishioners, were in the congregation.

The church is next to the primary school which Ms Blamires attended as a young girl.

After the hour-long mass the coffin was carried out to the song Angels by Robbie Williams.

During the service Father Smith described Ms Blamires as "cheeky, full of confidence, outgoing".

He said she had her father "wrapped around her little finger".

The priest also said: "She was a very clever and intelligent woman."

Among the hymns sung during the service was All Things Bright and Beautiful.

Many of the mourners were in tears as they followed the coffin out of the church and it was driven away for a private burial.

On one of the wreaths on top of the hearse Ms Blamires' mother wrote: "You were always my shining star."