THE family of a 16-year-old who took her own life earlier this month have thanked all those who have supported them.

Chelsea Smith was laid to rest last Thursday at Kingsdown Crematorium.

Now mum Trudy Young, sister Kristy, and brother Ben have spoken of how the support of friends and well-wishers has helped them through their ordeal.

The front garden of the family home in Upper Stratton is covered with elaborate floral tributes in Chelsea's favourite colour of pink as a tribute from family and friends.

The former Kingsdown pupil was taken by horse and carriage to the crematorium, stopping at Sims Chippy along the way, as she would always have done.

During the service both Trudy and Kristy gave unscripted eulogies, while several of Chelsea's friends shared their memories.

Two songs that Chelsea had requested - Time Of My Life from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, and Without You from Mariah Carey - were played, along with three choices of the family.

Trudy, 44, said family and friends were committed to remembering Chelsea as the bubbly, larger than life character she was. She said: "We want to remember her for who she was, not what happened to her.

"She was the life and soul of the party, and always wanted to be the centre of attention.

"I'd give anything to have her here again."

Trudy said the service, by Reverend Carol Stone, could not have been better.

She said: "Rev Stone used all the snippets of information that we'd given her about Chelsea and said some lovely words.

Other people the family wished to thank included the other three people who spoke at the funeral - Chelsea's friends Mandy Townsend, Chantelle Wood and Kirsty Hilsdon.

Tracy and Charlotte Crowhurst were also thanked for their constant support.

The family also expressed their gratitude to the Co-op funeral parlour, particularly Sarah and Michelle, florist Bonnie, Michelle Miller, Sasha Miller, Sam Berry, Lewis Robbins, Debbie at the Moonraker pub and Mike and Claire from the Mcinernay School of Irish Dance.

Kristy, 21, said: "I want to say a special thank-you to my best friend, Ben Crowhurst, because without him I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to be a pall bearer.

"I also want to say thanks to Lisa, Louise, Tony, Shane and Jamie. I hope we haven't missed anybody but really there are just too many people to mention.

"I think Chelsea would have been happy to have had so much coverage in the newspaper, even though I'm sure she would have been happier to be on page 3 of The Sun!"