Annabelle DicksonA West Norfolk community turned out yesterday to say farewell to their family member and friend Becky Thorpe who died last month.Annabelle Dickson

A West Norfolk community turned out yesterday to say farewell to their family member and friend Becky Thorpe who died last month.

Around 130 people watched in the spring sunshine as Miss Thorpe was laid to rest in the grounds of St Mary's Church on the Stradsett Estate, near Swaffham.

It is more than a month since her body was discovered in a freezer at The Compasses Inn in Snettisham.

Among a family group who arrived to the packed church were her parents Peter and Jane and her brother Keith.

A small crowd also gathered on the grass outside the small country church to listen to the service loud speakers.

There was a sea of red among the mourners as team mates and friends from Denver Hockey Club wore their shirts in tribute to their 28-year-old squad mate.

Frances Rayner and Laura Shreeve from the club spoke about their friend to the packed congregation.

'Although we cannot see you anymore we know you are with us', they said. 'You are in the arms of the angels now mate. May you find comfort there.'

Curate of Stradsett Church, Father Charles Miller who conducted the church service before the burial in the church grave yard, told that congregation that Becky had been a great sportswoman.

Earlier this month Miss Thorpe's parents and brother paid tribute to a 'cheeky and fun loving' daughter and sister.

Miss Thorpe attended Shouldham Primary School before moving to Downham Market High School.

She represented both her schools in athletics and hockey for the high school and she went on to play hockey for the Denver ladies competing in games throughout Norfolk.

Miss Thorpe's first job was working as a Saturday girl at Timber's in Fincham where after starting as a kitchen assistant she later trained and qualified as a chef.

She then took the position of head chef at The King's Arms in Shouldham.

A change in career in 2007 saw her train and later qualify as a dental nurse working in Downham Market.

But in 2009 she went back into the pub trade first at The Dray and Horses Tottenhill and then her first dream venture when she became the landlady of the The Compasses Inn Snettisham a little over a year ago.

It was here that she discovered her passion for classic cars as a result of which she bought a 1975 MGB GT that is undergoing restoration.

t Miss Thorpe's partner, Michael Tucker, 49, has been charged with her murder.