It was a moving farewell to a popular teenager.

Weeley crematorium was packed with family and friends for the funeral and celebration of the life of 18-year-old Simon Copeman.

The Clacton County High School pupil was remembered by classmates in the sixth form and friends from Colbayns, where he had previously been a pupil, and from Cann Hall Primary School where he went to primary school and where his mother, Anne, is a teacher.

Mrs Copeman is also a governor at Clacton County High School.

The service was taken by the Rev Mark Thompson who said he felt cheated because he had not known Simon, but knew he had touched so many others lives around him.

There were many floral tributes. One was in the shape of a yellow and blue basketball, one of the many sports Simon enjoyed along with football and pool.

The message read: "From the pool team and all the gang, undefeated, we will miss you."

Another was in the shape of a pool table with a small cue resting in the middle.

A yellow wreath spelling out Simon's name in large yellow flowers was from his sisters, Sam and Sara.

During the service, a special tribute was paid by Jill Brindle, a deputy head at Clacton County High School.

"Simon was a lot of things to lots of people, " she said.

"He could be a political animal and argue the rights and wrongs with the world.

"He could be a jester trying hard to make people smile, always ready with the latest joke. He had a great talent for laughing with people or at himself."

Mrs Brindle said he did this despite his own health problems.

"Simon wore his heart on his sleeve and you always knew exactly where you stood with him," she added.

"He wasn't good at hiding any emotion and it was this which endeared him to many people."

Simon was discovered at his home, in Clacton, by his mother on October 30.

He had been ill for several years and made regular visits to hospital.

An inquest into his death has been opened and adjourned.