EMOTIONAL tributes were paid this afternoon at the funeral of a young man who died on New Year’s Day.

More than 250 family and friends of Leon Hussey, 20, from Stratton Way, Abingdon, filled the town’s Trinity Church to pay their last respects.

The funeral hearse bearing the former Larkmead School pupil’s body carried white flowers spelling “av it” – a phrase he was well-known for.

Mr Hussey was found not breathing and unconscious at the home he shared with his father just a few hours after celebrating the new decade.

Paramedics fought in vain to save his life and told his parents they suspected he had been injected with heroin.

At the service Mr Hussey’s father, Robin, who lived with his son, choked back tears as he read a poem he wrote following his death.

He said: “We will love and miss you, in your honour I will raise you a toast.

“From my heart please forgive me, for not being there when you needed me most.”

Mr Hussey had been due to start a new job as a chef the day after he died.

Rev Dr Richard Bittleston paid tribute to “a young man whose career was about to unfold in front of him. We have lost something and a hole has appeared in our world.

“To see almost 1,000 people pay tribute to Leon online is of great sadness but also great love.”

The service was marked with hymns, music and prayers.

Mr Hussey’s mother, Mandy, 43, of Crosslands Drive, Abingdon, chose Fly, by Celine Dion, to be played at the ceremony.

As the coffin was carried out of the church, family and friends danced, cheered and applauded as Use Somebody, by Kings Of Leon, was played.

Afterwards, Mr Hussey’s sister, Robyn, 22, from Hinton Waldrist, said: “It was a beautiful service and I thought it was perfect. The turnout was absolutely amazing.

“It was so nice to see all Leon’s friends here.”

The congregation then made their way to Abingdon United’s football ground for the wake and to let Chinese lanterns off into the night sky.

bellery@oxfordmail.co.uk