Crowds lined the streets to pay their final respects to much-loved mum-of-two Katie Kenyon. 

Mourners had been asked to wear purple for the funeral, which took place at St Leonard’s Church in the centre of Padiham this morning.

Her white wicker coffin was brought to the church in a horse drawn carriage and taken inside for the service.

The church had also been adorned with purple balloons and the family had asked mourners to consider bring lilies so Katie to be surrounded by her favourite flowers.

Many of the local businesses had placed ‘closed’ signs in their windows as a mark of respect and stood to watch the arrival of cortege.

After the church service the coffin was due to be taken to its final resting place at Burnley Cemetery.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Pictures LT (unless where specified)

Lancashire Telegraph:

 

Peter Byrne/PA

A statement from her sister Sarah read: “Again we want to thank every single one of you all for the support, donations and love you have all shown and given and still giving.

"We are absolutely overwhelmed and feeling the love.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Lancashire Telegraph:

Katie went missing on April 22 after she was thought to be seen getting into a silver Ford Transit van which was driven to the Forest of Bowland.

Just over a week later Lancashire Police confirmed the tragic news they had found a body in their search for the missing Padiham mum-of-two.

A 50-year-old man, Andrew Burfield of Todmorden Road, Burnley, has been charged with her murder and will stand trial later this year.