Louise Smith funeral sees hundreds line streets of hometown for motorbike tribute to 'murdered' teen

HUNDREDS of people have lined the streets today for an emotional tribute to teenager Louise Smith following her tragic death.

Louise, 16, went missing on May 8, sparking a huge search before her body was discovered in dense woodland a mile from her home in Havant, Hampshire.

Her cousin's husband, 29-year-old Shane Mays, has been charged with her murder and is set to stand trial in November.  

Louise's cousin, Cjay Mays, 29, was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and has since been released on bail.

The girl was understood to have been staying with Cjay and Shane at their Leigh Park flat at the time of her disappearance on May 8.

The whole community has been rocked by her death and many of the pupils are still coming to terms with it

Over 400 motorbikes joined the cortege today from as far as Norfolk and Bimingham to pay tribute to Louise at the request of her family.

Two black horses with purple plumes on their heads towed a black carriage containing Louise's white wicker casket, which had the word 'LouLou' laid out in flowers on top.

Locals from the Leigh Park area of Havant lined the streets to pay their respects as the funeral procession passed, joined by pupils and staff from Louise's school Havant Academy.

The teenager's mum Rebecca Cooper, 39, sat in the car behind her coffin and wept as she drove past her daughter's school.

Emotional tributes were paid today to Louise.

Headteacher at Havant Academy, Victoria Adams said: "Louise was a really valued and cared for member of the school.

"She loved school shows and she was happy and constantly smiling. The whole community has been rocked by her death and many of the pupils are still coming to terms with it."

She was like a sister to me. It's been very hard for all of us since it happened

And close friends Beth Harper, 20 and Emily Waldron, 18, were emotional as they walked from the school to the private ceremony at The Oaks Havant crematorium.

Beth said: "She was like a sister to me. It's been very hard for all of us since it happened."

And Emily added: "I think I last spoke to her just a few days before she went missing, We just spoke about normal things really. It's been tough to deal with."

Spinnaker Tower, a 560ft landmark which boasts it is 'Britain's best viewing tower', will also mark Louise's funeral later today by turning purple in her memory.

Louise's family said the teenager loved Gunwharf shopping outlet where the tower is located and have been touched by the generous offer from managers to turn its lights purple in her memory.

Aunt, Hannah Welstead said it was a fitting tribute to the teenager.

The 33-year-old said: "I thought that was brilliant – Louise loved Gunwharf and the surrounding area so it really meant a lot to us."

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