HEADS bowed in grief, the family of Jenna Brookfield accompany her coffin on its final journey.

The 15-year-old was yesterday laid to rest after a moving funeral service where her family and friends paid tribute to a girl they remembered as being full of love and laughter.

Trinity Methodist Church, Abersychan, was filled to capacity. The service was broadcast by loudspeakers to the many more mourners who waited outside in the cold.

After the funeral service Jenna's loved ones - among them her mother, Desiree, her father, Nigel Brookfield, and her boyfriend, Chris Jones - attended a private burial at Panteg cemetery. It was followed by a gathering at Blaenavon for all her family and friends.

Jenna's schoolfriends were given the day off to attend the funeral. Aber-sychan Comprehensive head teacher Peter Scott paid tribute to Jenna during the service, saying: "Her future, so tragically curtailed, must act as a spur to us."

Many mourners stifled sobs as the Reverend Linda Williams read out a tribute from Jenna's mother.

She said: "She was an exceptional character. I believe she lived her short life to the full and enjoyed her time with us. I'm proud of the way we can remember her life today."

Among the mourners were police officers who worked on the investigation. Chief Inspector John Oliver said: "It was a very moving service. The number of her schoolfriends who came today made it even more so."

Jenna was reported missing from her home in Ffrwd Road, Abersychan, in September. Her body was discovered on November 18 in a shallow grave on the mountainside near Blaenavon.

Her stepfather, Michael Baldwin, aged 36, of Limekiln Road, Pontnewynydd, has been charged with her murder.

* Pictured, Bearers gently carry the white, rose-covered coffin of Jenna Brookfield