The funeral of bakery worker Imran Shah took place at Banbury Mosque yesterday, just hours before his body was due to be flown to Kashmir for burial in a family grave.

Mr Shah, 23, died from multiple stab wounds on November 27, after an incident in the car park at Fine Lady Bakeries in Southam Road, Banbury, where he worked on the night shift.

Work colleague Shahid Rehman, 29, has been charged with his murder.

Councillor Alyas Ahmed said the funeral was one of the biggest ever seen in the town.

He said: "Several thousand mourners were there. Relatives and friends from all over the country came for the ceremony, as well as all the local people who knew Mr Shah, who was a talented footballer and cricketer."

Describing the funeral, Mr Ahmed said: "The coffin was placed at the front of the mosque and prayers were said. Then the mourners approached the coffin saying private prayers, before walking away."

The body was due to be flown to Kashmir for burial last night.

Mr Ahmed said the flight was scheduled to take off from Heathrow at 8pm, and Mr Shah's father was flying out with the coffin.

The plane was due to land in Islamabad, from where a cortege would drive for several hours to Kashmir where Mr Shah's mother still lives.

His body was then due to be buried in a grave alongside other members of the family.

Mr Ahmed praised the police for the early release of Mr Shah's body. He said: "It can sometimes take three weeks or more for bodies to be returned to families, and we are grateful that Mr Shah was back with us in just one week.

"I also want to thank the Banbury community for their commiserations, and the Press for their handling of the matter."