"WE will never forget you" and "Always in our hearts."

These were the heartfelt messages from family and friends paying their last respects to Philip Hicks yesterday.

The 41-year-old's body was found in mud flats at Longney last month.

Philip, of Deans Way, Gloucester, had been missing for more than 10 days after vanishing on a night out in the city.

The cause of death has still not been determined.

Yesterday hundreds of mourners packed into Gloucester Crematorium to remember Philip and bid their final goodbyes.

His nephew, 15-year-old Blake Dallimore, read a moving tribute to the 'family man' who he said would never be forgotten by his family and friends.

Floral tributes saying 'Dad' and 'Son' were carried from the hearse as Philip's coffin entered the crematorium, to the sound of Everything I Own by Bread.

The service, included readings from Blake and a tribute from Philip's wife Sharon in the form of a song, Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion.

Philip's favourite song Let Me Be Your Fantasy by Baby D, also played before Kingston Town by UB40 was played as everyone said their final farewells to the dad-of-one.

Philip and Sharon were married at Gloucester Register Office in June last year after being together for 17 years.

The couple have a daughter Kayleigh, 15, who Philip was devoted to.

Before the funeral Sharon, 39, said: "We just want to give him a good send off. There has been a lot of people who have sent us their best wishes.

"If people spoke to him once he would speak to them every time. He was like that and was loved by many people. I just don't know what we will do without him."

Among the mourners were Philip's parents Brenda and Nigel, his brother Simon and sister Vicky as well as other family and friends.

Philip vanished three weeks ago after a night out.

He had gone to TNT on Friday, August 13. At around 3am on Saturday morning, he rang Sharon to say he would soon be on his way home.

CCTV footage captured him walking up Southgate Street, and he was last spotted near Gloucester police station at around 3.44am on Saturday.

Police and members of the public had been searching the streets for Philip until his body was found on Tuesday.