DOZENS of mourners have paid their respects to a young man from Kent whose life was cut tragically short when he was killed in the London bombings.

Philip Russell, 28, was among 13 people killed when the number 30 bus was blown up in Tavistock Square by a suicide bomber on Thursday, July 7.

Friends and family gathered at Holy Trinity Church in East Peckham, near Maidstone, for his funeral on Wednesday.

The Rev Sue Morrell, the church curate who took the service, said: “Philip was very well liked and loved and had a gift for bringing people together.

“Words cannot express how much the family will miss him and he will be remembered in this village for many years to come.”

Speaking after the service, his father, Grahame Russell, of Russett Road, East Peckham, said: “Today we buried our son. Yet in the darkness of this tragic event there shines some light.

“The love and care shown by the family by Philip’s friends, work colleagues and villagers of East Peckham has been truly inspiring.

“The ongoing dedication, support and friendship shown by the church, police and funeral directors restores some faith in human kindness.”

He added: “To those victims and families of this tragedy, who are still suffering and living through this nightmare, I offer my love and understanding and trust.”

The message on a card accompanying flowers left by Philip’s sister, Caroline, read: “You will live in my heart. I will always remember what a fantastic person you were and how lucky we were to have you on this earth even though it was such a short time.”

Philip, an asset manager for JP Morgan, had only got on the number 30 bus after his train skipped Moorgate and continued to Euston, where passengers had then been evacuated.

Originally from East Peckham, and a former pupil of Mascalls School Paddock Wood, he lived with friends in Kennington, south London.

Philip had returned to the village the previous Sunday for a celebration at Holy Trinity to mark the Christening of his niece - his sister Caroline’s daughter Caitlin.