Mourners gathered in Telford to pay their last respects to a 27-year-old mother who was found dead at a flat in Dawley.

More than 100 people packed out St Leonard’s Church in Malinslee yesterday for the funeral of Charlie Smith.

Miss Smith’s coffin was carried to the church inside a carriage, pulled by two horses.

Among the floral tributes was a pink and white arrangement which spelled out the word, Mum.

The body of mother-of-two Miss Smith was found at a property in Lancaster Avenue on February 11.

A post-mortem examination revealed Miss Smith, who lived at Old Wharf, Malinslee, had been strangled.

A statement from Miss Smith’s family described her as “a very special person” who touched the hearts of everyone she came into contact with.

Floral tributes were laid at the front door of Miss Smith’s house, paying tribute to the “fantastic mum”.

Miss Smith, who was previously known as Karis Smith, had two daughters, aged six and three.

Next-door neighbour Sue Roberts said: “Charlie kept herself to herself, but when I saw her she would always say hello. She was a good mum and a good neighbour.”

* Philip Jervois, 37, of Lancaster Avenue, has been charged with Miss Smith’s murder and is due to appear in court on June 12. An inquest on Miss Smith was opened and adjourned yesterday.