HUNDREDS of mourners packed a Newport church yesterday to say their final goodbyes to Newport man Glyn Gurney.

Glyn, 20, of Elaine Crescent, St Julian's, died on May 30 when the car he was a passenger in crashed into the safety barrier on the A4042 Pontypool to Newport road.

Friends and family of Glyn, known as 'Glynny', filled St Julian's Methodist Church to pay tribute to the man described by Rev Michael Payne as a "sensible lad".

Reverend Payne said: "Two words sum up Glyn: love and fun, and it is for these that we will remember him."

Glyn's father, Nick Gurney, fought back tears as he rose to speak of his beloved son's achievements in his short life.

He told mourners he was overwhelmed by the support the family had received in the days following the crash, and paid a loving tribute to his "always-smiling son".

He said: "No words are ever enough to explain our feelings at the moment. This tragic accident should never have happened.

"Looking through photos, you always see Glyn's beautiful smile. He was always smiling. He was a very helpful person and he was always there for you."

Speaking to his son, Mr Gurney said: "You never had a bad word to say about anyone, and this is how I will remember you, Glyn. You will never, ever be forgotten. We will love you forever."

The hymns Morning Has Broken, and All Things Bright and Beautiful were sung, and after the service his coffin, adorned with wreaths and flowers, was taken to be cremated. Two large wreaths of white flowers, both from Glyn's parents, Nick and Ruth, stood out from the rest. One wreath read "Glynny", another, simply "Son".

A card on the wreath read: "From Mum and Dad. We will never know why. But your smile will never leave us and in our hearts you will stay forever."

A wreath from Glyn's younger half-sisters, Samantha, nine, and Sophie, four, read: "You were the nicest brother any sisters could wish for. All we ever had was fun."

Another, from his half-sister, Riah, said: "I'm going to miss you, brother."

Following the cremation at Gwent Crematorium, family and friends were invited for refreshments at Newport High School Old Boys Club, Caerleon, to celebrate a man whose life was cut tragically short.