THE family and friends of Shane Thomas gathered in Pontypool on Thursday for the 22-year-old's funeral service.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Pontymoile Christian Mission Church, and later at Llwyncelyn Cemetery, to pay their respects.

South Wales Argus: The funeral of Shane Thomas at the Undenominational Christian Mission in Pontymoile . .www.christinsleyphotography.co.uk.The funeral of Shane Thomas at the Undenominational Christian Mission in Pontymoile . .www.christinsleyphotography.co.uk.

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The funeral cortege for talented amateur boxer Mr Thomas was full of colourful floral tributes to the things he enjoyed most in life.

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Mr Thomas died in the Wainfelin area of Pontypool on August 5, when the van he was travelling in hit a parked vehicle.

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Following his death, Mr Thomas was remembered fondly by those who knew him.

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One Pontypool resident described Mr Thomas as "a wonderful guy".

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And another said Mr Thomas was someone who "always had a good time".

"He was a cracking guy," he said. “He was loved by so many people."

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At Thursday's funeral service, Pastor John Funnell said: "The word legend can be used too easily at times, but in Shane’s case, I believe there is no word more fitting to describe him.

"Not only was he a hero to many, and loved deeply by his family and traveller community, Shane was also well known by everyone in this valley."

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Pastor John added: "Shane was a decent young man, his parents raised him right, he was polite and respectful."

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