FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a mother of two who was found dead at her Hampshire home.

More than 100 mourners filled St Luke's Church in Stanmore, Winchester, to celebrate the life of 51-year-old Valerie Edwards.

The hour-long service of thanksgiving, led by Rev Mike Gardner, was followed by personal readings from friends, family and colleagues.

Natasha Baker, who had worked with Valerie at the Carroll Youth Centre, sang Wind Beneath My Wings in memory of her friend.

Wiping away tears colleague Kate Gibson also said a few words, while Dorothy Flynn, another who worked alongside Valerie, described her friend's roles as a mother, friend and colleague.

Valerie's children, Ruth and Daniel, chose the song Three Times a Lady by the Commodores to be played in memory of their mother.

The hymns selected for the service included All Things Bright and Beautiful and The King of Love My Shepherd Is.

After the service, family and friends attended Carroll Youth Centre in Somers Close, Winchester, where Valerie had worked since 1992.

She also helped out with the Poppins afterschool club, based at the site, and drove the centre's minibus. Valerie, also known as Valerie Page, was found dead at the home she shared with her husband and children in Honeysuckle Close, Badger Farm, last November. She was discovered by police a day after concerned relatives reported her missing, and a post-mortem revealed that she died from head injuries.

Valerie, a youth centre manager, is believed to have died between November 24 and December 1 of last year. The death shocked the community of Winchester.