THE funeral of murder victim Shaun Rossington has finally taken place.

Heartbroken relatives and friends of the 21-year-old Lincoln man came together for an emotional church service in the city.

About 100 people listened as devastated mother Sharon Rossington spoke of her agony at losing the son she has described as her "gentle giant".

Fighting back the tears, she read a heartfelt message on behalf of herself and husband Kevin Rossington.

"Your memory will live on in our hearts for now and ever," she said.

"We are immensely proud of you for all your achievements in your short life.

"We are so proud of you and you will be deeply and sadly missed by all who knew you."

The funeral was held at St Peter At Gowts Church in High Street.

It came almost two months after Shaun was found dead on grassland near the Waitrose supermarket in the Ermine area of the city.

The funeral was delayed for several weeks while tests were carried out on his body as part of a city-wide murder probe.

Seven people were detained early last month after they were charged with his murder.

At the funeral, a message read out by brother Chris Rossington showed the impact his death had had on the family.

"The world is a lonelier place without you," he said.

"You left too soon. All I can say is that I miss you, Shaun."

He said that if he had known what was to happen on June 3, the night of his death, he would have told Shaun how much he meant to him.

"I would have hugged you and told you that I loved you," he said. The service was led by the vicar of the church, the Reverend Jeremy Cullimore.

Some of Shaun's favourite songs – by artists such as Westlife and Calvin Harris – were played alongside traditional church hymns.

Many of the mourners were dressed in Lincoln City colours, in a mark of respect for Shaun's passion for the Imps.

But emotions were still very raw at the ceremony.

One message of condolence had to be read out by a member of the church staff after a mourner became too upset to read it.

In it, she said: "You can shed tears that he is gone or you can smile that he has lived.

"You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back or open your eyes and see all that he has left."

Mr Cullimore said that shocked friends and relatives were looking for answers – but he could not offer them.

He said: "I can't give answers about why this tragedy happened."

The funeral was followed by a private burial.