Mourners hugged each other in memory of teenager Sarah Ertl, who died in a car crash which claimed two lives.

About 300 people attended a service yesterday at St James' Church, in Somerton, near Bicester, to celebrate the 15-year-old's life.

Sarah and Gemma Blackman, who died six days later, were passengers in a Toyota Yaris which crashed into a tree alongside the B4030, west of Hopcroft's Holt, on Saturday, May 21.

In a tribute to Sarah, Barrie Wood, former pastor at Bicester Community Church, told how Sarah wanted to be a nurse and loved hugs.

He told the packed congregation how she was kind, but always late, and loved making beaded jewellery for herself and friends. Sarah was baptised aged nine and had a strong faith.

One of the teenager's teachers at Woodstock's Marlborough School, Clair McCourt, read Psalm 139, Verses 1 to 18, from the schoolgirl's Bible. The Queen song, Only the Good Die Young -- a favourite of Sarah's -- was also played.

Her father Toni Ertl -- who performed two hymns with his band at the service -- had written a poem for his daughter, titled The Candle. It was read by Stephen Beegoo, the leader of the community church, which meets at Cooper School, in Bicester.

He said: "Sarah was like a little bit of God's light to us in the world. She made us able to see new things and helped guide many of us as we walked through our lives.

"Sarah's light sometimes revealed things that were hidden, and unlocked treasures.

"Like candle flame, sometimes she flickered, sometimes growing dim, sometimes brighter, as she walked with God and reflected his light. And on the appointed day her flame was gone."

The Rev Martin Hathaway, parish priest for Somerton, said: "Looking at people's faces, the service touched a lot of people."

The proceeds of the collection will be donated to charity World Vision. A private family funeral took place at Banbury Crematorium earlier in the day.

A private family funeral for Gemma Blackman, 15, of Middle Barton, is due to take place on June 10, at Oxford Crematorium.