A 26-year-old bride whose husband died on their wedding night held his funeral just 13 days after their big day.

Deena Harvey held the service at St Philip and St James Church, Upnor, near Rochester, where she had tied the knot with Darren Payne on August 26.

The same vicar also took the service, which was attended by more than 100 mourners, as well as the couple’s two children.

Mr Payne, 30, of Bogarde Drive, Wainscott, near Strood, died in the early hours of Sunday, August 27, after collapsing in his hotel room. Distraught Deena was still in her wedding dress.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Payne died from a long-standing heart condition, for which he was taking medication.

The Rev Ian Brown said: “I pay tribute to Deena for her courage in holding this funeral in the same church in which she married Darren 13 days ago. She has told me that despite this great tragedy, her wedding was the happiest day of her life.

“Darren and Deena spent 11 years together and she has many happy memories.

Mr Payne's sister, Benita, said: “He was truly happy on his wedding day and it is such a tragedy that their married life was cut short"

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