Hundreds of people are expected to attend the funeral of Norfolk student Hannah Witheridge when it takes place in Hemsby next week.

Eastern Daily Press: The parish church of St Mary the Virgin, Hemsby.Picture by SIMON FINLAY.The parish church of St Mary the Virgin, Hemsby.Picture by SIMON FINLAY. (Image: Archant Norfolk.)

Miss Witheridge's funeral will be held at St Mary's Church in her home village on Friday, October 10.

The 23-year-old, described by her family as a 'beautiful, intelligent, loving young woman', was killed while on holiday in Thailand on September 15. The investigation into her death and the hunt to find those responsible is ongoing.

Today, Norfolk police said a number of roads in Hemsby will be closed to allow Miss Witheridge's funeral procession, led by a horse-drawn hearse, to travel from the family home to St Mary's.

The convoy will travel from Parklands, where the family run a holiday chalet business, from 10.45am, along North Road and The Street to St Mary's Church for the service at 11am. The church service will be followed by a private burial.

Members of the public who want to attend but have not been invited by the family are advised to park in Waters Lane, while disabled drivers can use the car park near to the cemetery bordered by The Street and Kingsway.

Miss Witheridge's family has kindly asked that friends and non-invited guests attending the funeral make donations to local charity Faith Animal Rescue, based in Hickling, instead of floral tributes.

The former University of East Anglia student was killed on the island of Koh Tao along with fellow holidaymaker David Miller, 24, of Jersey.

Last week Thai police colonel Kissana Phathanacharoen said a reward of 700,000 baht - roughly £13,300 - was being offered for information which leads to the arrests of the culprits.