Wigton turned pink as mourners said goodbye to Steven Parker, a man with a "heart of gold" who died in a car crash near the town.

The bells of St Mary's Church rang out yesterday as the hearse carrying Steven's coffin arrived.

The 23-year-old former Nelson Thomlinson School pupil died in a crash on the A596 earlier this month.

Friends and family - many dressed in pink at the family's request - had gathered outside the church 30 minutes before the funeral cortege arrived.

A white coffin adorned with Parker in gold lettering, a picture of Steven's BMW and floral tributes adorned the coffin.

Bearers carried his coffin into the packed church to the song My Lover by Not3s.

His mum Judith carried a Paddington bear toy into the church where 200 people had gathered to pay their respects.

Candles spelling out Steven's name shone brightly at the altar where photographs of him and his family were displayed.

Canon Geoffrey Ravalde welcomed the congregation and read tributes from Steven's girlfriend Rachel Benn and his mum Judith.

In her tribute Rachel said she first met Steven at junior school.

She said: "We were both the happiest we could both be.

"We spent every second together day and night because that's what we wanted to do.

"I treasured every single message he sent me from day one and that will bring me comfort.

"He had the cheekiest smile.

"We were often deep in conversation about the most random things. It was like sitting with a comedian every night.

"I've never loved someone as much as him. We were constantly messaging one another and sending snapchats when we were apart."

Steven and Rachel had spent time in Barbados with his family before Christmas.

Rachel said: "They were the happiest two weeks of my life.

"Steven made me feel like anything could be possible and nothing was ever out of reach.

"We had so much planned for the future - marriage, a family, holidays, a home."

His mum said: "Steven was always a caring and loving child. He was always there for anybody and everybody.

"He was always looking out for making a penny or two.

"He was a soft lad with a huge heart.

"He loved cars and worked with his dad Mike in the garage. He loved his job. His brother Maverick started at the garage when he left school and Natasha helped out with car sales.

"He never stopped calling me mummy. His friends used to take the mick."

His sister Natasha, 25, said he was a proud uncle to her two boys, Harvey, seven and Charlie, five.

She said: "He won't ever be forgotten because who could forget the one and only Parker.

"Steven will be a huge miss to me and Harvey and Charlie. I am so pleased that I got to spent 23 amazing years with him. I won't ever forget you Steven.

"Grief is just love with no place to go."

His friends, in a tribute, said he had a "heart of gold".

They said he leaves "a massive hole that will never be replaced."

A song by Snow Patrol was played to the congregation then Mr Ravalde said: "Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones."

He gave a special mention to Steven's dogs Bailey, Mylo and the pups Parker's Peaky Blinders Bullz.

The coffin left the church to music by Shawn Mendes.

A cremation took place in Carlisle and mourners gathered in Wigton Bowling Club after the ceremony.

Donations were collected for Macmillan Cancer Support and St Mary's Church.

* The News & Star attended the funeral with the kind permission of Steven's family.