Hundreds of grief-stricken friends and relatives attended the double funeral of Danny Collard and his grandmother, Sarah Parker.

More than 500 mourners packed St Joseph's Church in Elm Grove, Brighton, yesterday to say farewell to the devoted pair who died less than two weeks apart.

A further 150 listened to the service from outside the church, which was filled to capacity.

Among the mourners were Ann Collard - Danny's mother and Mrs Parker's daughter - and her younger son Joe, 16.

They were joined by friends and relatives from all over Britain and Ireland, including Mrs Parker's elderly sisters and friends from her days as a nurse in Brighton.

Also present were the friends who were with Danny on the night he died.

Danny, 20, died on March 22, his life cut short by a knife wound to his heart.

His 77-year-old grandmother collapsed with breathing difficulties on hearing of his death. She never recovered from the shock and died ten days later from multiple organ failure.

The funeral mass at St Joseph's, where both Mrs Parker and her grandson were worshippers, was led by Father Paul Turner, with readings by Father Miceal Beatty, Father Con Foley and Father Chris Spain, a family friend and former chaplain at Cardinal Newman School, where Danny was a pupil.

Danny's friend Kate Sanders read the poem A Child Loaned, and Tim Soudain read What Is Dying, in memory of Mrs Parker.

Tommy Cusack, Mrs Parker's nephew and John Stone, of Cardinal Newman School, Hove, gave readings from the Bible.

Many of the mourners were in tears as they listened to Fr Taylor's joint homily for Danny and his grandmother.

He spoke of the special warm and loving atmosphere at the Collard family home in Lower Bevendean Avenue, Brighton.

He said: "When Danny and Sarah were both there there was always a special bond between them. They sparkled in a special way when they were together.

"Sarah was a very lucky nan and Danny was a very lucky grandchild. Love does not come to an end."

In an unusual step, one of the priests went outside the church and gave communion on the front steps for those listening outside.

Many in the congregation sobbed as Danny's friends Dan Mitchell and Tom Wright spoke about him and Kate Sanders read a second poem, which she had written in his memory.

Mr Mitchell, who knew Danny at sixth-form college and later worked with him at BT, said: "Danny was so easy to talk to and a credit to his parents. He had principles and would do anything for his friends.

"I'm angry in a way because Danny never had the chance to find the right girl or see the world or run the marathon. But then I know he did so much."

"Thanks, Danny, for being part of all our lives and bringing love and laughter to us all."

Outside the church the street seemed to fall silent as the Lourdes Choir sang You'll Never Walk Alone.

Passers by stopped to listen and were visibly moved as the music was played outside on loudspeakers.

The two coffins were carried from the church, preceded by a parade of clergy. Danny's was decorated with a wreath in the colours of his favourite football team, West Ham United, and carried to the hearse by his friends.

The funeral procession than departed for the Lawn Memorial cemetery in Woodingdean for a private family burial, conducted by Canon Seamus Hester.

Unemployed Derry Davis, 20, of Hillside, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, has been charged with murdering Mr Collard.

He also faces charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray.