Hundreds of mourners crammed into a village church today for the funeral of Ricky Serjent - a young man "who lived life to the full".

They included a group of friends in football shirts of his favourite team Aston Villa, specially made with "Ricky" printed on the back.

The 23-year-old, inset, from Windmill Road, North Leigh, died after a knockabout game of football on Friday, October 12, at Witney's artificial turf pitch.

He had a heart condition and only months before had undergone surgery at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

The Rev Miriam Keen, curate at St Mary's church, North Leigh, told the congregation: "He took all that came his way and lived life to the full. That is a wonderful comfort to those who are left.

"Ricky showed such courage in facing major surgery and got himself fit again to play football. He was a young lad who enjoyed laughter, a few drinks and a good party, but most of all he made a difference."

Among the 400 people who packed the church were Ricky's mother Alicia Lewis and stepfather Mark Lewis, friends from his time at Witney's Wood Green School and pals from local football teams.

His grandfather Victor Bridgeman, who shared with Ricky a love of greyhound racing, was also among the family mourners. Ricky owned two racing dogs and used to take his grandad regularly to Swindon races.

Tributes, including their own poems, were read by his brother Kyle, 16, and sisters Carlene, 20, and Maria, 32.

The congregation also heard two of Ricky's favourite songs - Machines by Biffy Clyro and Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith.

Ricky worked for Southern Electric. A tribute from his colleagues is pictured left.

At his funeral donations were made towards a memorial fund, which will be used for a bench at the sports pitch and an annual trophy for a race at Swindon dog track.