HUNDREDS of mourners have paid their final tributes to a "gifted and talented" sixth form student who died in a car crash.

There was standing room only at St Mary's Parish Church in Uttoxeter yesterday, as Danny Edwards was laid to rest.

The promising musician and sportsman lived with his parents, Kelvin and Angela Edwards, and two sisters Kelly, aged 15, and Katie, aged eight, in Stone Road, Uttoxeter.

He was fatally injured after the grey 55-registered Mazda he was driving left the road and hit a tree on the A518 at Loxley on February 22.

Many of Danny's classmates at Thomas Alleyne's High School took the afternoon off to attend the service and say their goodbyes to the popular 18-year-old.

Reverend Charles Dale, who led the service, described Danny as a "special guy".

He said: "It's a sad day and hard to find the words to adequately express our feelings and love for Danny.

"It feels like a light has gone out in a lot of people's lives.

"Over the last couple of weeks there has been a great sense of loss and sadness that someone so young has been taken away from us, not only at the school, but across the whole of the town. Danny was someone who lived life to the full and was full of zest and sometimes playful mischief.

"He was the real hero of the family and his sudden and tragic death has turned their lives upside down.

"He was an ambitious young man who had set his sights on becoming a millionaire by the time he was 30 and always gave 150 per cent in everything he did. Danny fitted more into his short life than most of us do in a lifetime."

A banner with the name Picture This, the name of the band Danny was a guitarist in, was draped across his coffin for the duration of the hour-long service.

Danny, who had recently made his senior debut for Uttoxeter Rugby Club's second team against Ashbourne, was also a keen scuba diver, and was due to take part in his school's World Challenge expedition to Kilimanjaro later this year.

Many wept as the hymn How Great Thou Art was sung, while sister Kelly sang a moving tribute called My Heart. Members of the Thomas Alleyne's School Choir sang Danny Boy in tribute.

Leading an emotional tribute on behalf of Danny's family, uncle Wayne Edwards said: "Danny was an extremely talented young man and was our inspiration. There is disbelief and sorrow at his sudden departure. We'll never, ever, forget you."

Danny's coffin was carried out of the church to the sound of his favourite song, November Rain by Guns N' Roses.

He was buried in the graveyard at Uttoxeter Cemetery following the funeral service.

Donations were taken for charities of the family's choice, including the County Air Ambulance.