by Jenni Horn

Hundreds of people gathered today
to say goodbye to a popular young woman killed by a suspected
drink-driver in Ibiza.

Francesca Foulkes’ funeral was held
at St Thomas of Canterbury Church in Rainham.

More than 700 mourners attended,
with many having to stand at the back of the pews.

At her family’s request, most of
the mourners wore brightly-coloured clothes instead of black.

Francesca loved flowers, so many of
the women wore them in their hair, while the men had colourful
button holes pinned to their suits.

The funeral procession was led by a
horse-drawn black carriage carrying Francesca’s wicker coffin which
was adorned with pink roses.

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Video: Francesca Foulkes' funeral today

As the coffin was carried into the
church on London Road, her parents Julian and Gina, younger sister
Natasha and Fran’s boyfriend Adam Best walked behind.

The Catholic service began with the
hymn Morning Has Broken and the opening prayer was followed by a
reading from The Book of Wisdom by Fran’s father, Julian.

As Francesca’s coffin was carried
out of the church at the end of the service, Kent Police officers,
including Chief Supt Steve Corbishley, formed a guard of
honour.

The funeral service was followed by
the committal at The Garden of England Crematorium in Bobbing.

Last week Fran's father Julian told how her death has devastated his family.

Francesca, known to her friends as
Fran, was killed by a hit and run driver as she left a nightclub in
San Antonio in the early hours of Sunday, July 25.

The driver, a 24-year-old Spanish
man, is believed to have been charged with manslaughter with a
vehicle and a number of offences relating to driving while under
the influence of alcohol and drugs.