Family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of Soho nail-bomb victim Andrea Dykes at a mass at her former school.

About 70 mourners congregated at St Benedict's College, Colchester, to pay tribute to the 27-year-old mother-to-be who was killed when she took the full brunt of the blast as the device exploded at the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho.

In a moving sermon, Father Paul Fox said: "Her life has been shockingly brief, her being taken away leaves us all with an aching gap that can never be filled. I know how much she will be missed and how life won't be the same again without her.

"Having said that, Andrea's life had a rich quality to it - a life that is an example to many of us."

Andrea, of Taragona Mews, Colchester, was killed while out celebrating with her husband Julian, 26, and John Light, best man at their wedding and future godfather to their baby. Mr Light, 32, also died.

Andrea was three months pregnant at the time of her death.

Mr Dykes was released from hospital yesterday but was not fit enough to attend the mass.

Before the service began, the congregation was played Say a Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin and One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men both selected for their significance by Andrea's sister Natalie.

College principal Alan Whelan, who organised the special mass after numerous requests from Andrea's former school friends, welcomed the mourners and remembered the "several happy years" Andrea had spent at the Norman Way school.

Stepfather Trevor Hogg, mother Frances and sister Natalie comforted one another as Father Fox paid tribute to their lost relative.

"As we think of Andrea, we remember a young lady who was full of love and warmth; a love that took people for how they were; a lady who was devoted to and cared very much for you her friends and you her family and I know how loyal she was to you all," he said.

He called upon friends and family to let Andrea's life touch their lives and allow her life to mean something.

The congregation prayed for the family and offered its love and support.

Hymns throughout the mass were led by current year ten pupils at the school.

Andrea left the school in 1988 and about a third of the current staff still fondly remember her.

The school intends to plant a tree as a tribute in its memorial garden.

David Copeland, 23, of Sunnybank Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, has been charged with murdering Andrea Dykes and two friends John Light, of Colchester, and Nick More.

Copeland, currently being remanded in custody, is also charged with causing explosions in Brixton, Brick Lane, East London, and Soho.

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