Murder suspect sends tribute to girlfriend's funeral

Luke Walker, 22, from Brierley Hill, West Midlands, was charged with the murder of Chelsea Hyndman after she died on the Greek holiday island on May 17 after suffering ruptured internal organs.

Yesterday more than 200 mourners attended the 20-year-old's funeral at All Saints Church in her home town of Castleford.

Chelsea's mother Heather Hyndman, 45, clutching a handful of white carnations, collapsed in tears outside the church before the 30-minute service began and had to be helped inside by friends and family.

Nestled next to Chelsea's coffin in the three-car cortege was a picture of Chelsea and Luke together, accompanied by a heart-shaped wreath of white roses and a handwritten note.

The note, written by Walker, Chelsea's boyfriend of three years, said: "To my beautiful little angel, you stole my heart from the moment I saw you and now my heart will always be yours."

Her coffin, adorned with yellow, white and pink roses, was carried into the church by six pallbearers, including her tearful stepfather Neil Lorriman, 32, as rain poured down.

The tribute from Walker was one of a number of bouquets and teddy bears from friends and family from Castleford, the West Midlands and Crete. The family asked mourners to donate money to children's charity the NSPCC in lieu of flowers.

After proceeding to Castleford Cemetery, the family held a celebration of Chelsea's short life at the Smawthrone Club in Castleford.

Chelsea, who had planned to work in Malia for the summer, died a day after she was admitted to hospital in Heraklion, the capital of Crete, suffering from severe abdominal pain.