As we report on page 1, family and friends of Karl Griffin poured into a funeral chapel this week to say final farewells to the teenager who recently died in tragic circumstances. They invited reporter Katie Frearson along

Karl, of Drill Street, Lawkholme, died last week in a drugs-related incident at the age of 19. His parents - Christine and Ernie - asked his friends to help arrange the service, which was one of the most moving experiences I've ever had.

The vicar, known as Norman and whom the family recently discovered was once stationed at the same RAF base - Wegburg - where Karl was born, led the half-hour dedication.

With readings from The Book of Apostles, the English poet John Donne and the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, the life of this happy youngster was recalled in a compassionate and touching manner.

What mattered most to him - his music, friends and family - formed the core of the service.

A song entitled A Letter to Karl, written by his friend Steve Wilkinson, sung by another friend Joe Boswell and performed by friends Dave Anderton and Steve, evoked the depth of feeling felt at the terrible loss of their best buddy. This song was written the night Karl died.

The second song played - Sail Away - was written by Karl himself. The music was composed by Steve and the piece sung by Joe. As the words - '...there's nothing to say, 'cause I'm leaving and I know I'm not coming by this way again..' - reverberated around the chapel to the sound of choking tears, the uncanny significance of these words left hearts broken and his soul cherished.

The final piece of music - Imagine, by John Lennon - was one of Karl's favourites, along with Where Angels Play (Stone Roses) and Live Forever (Oasis).

Imagining all the people who would miss this bubbly, cheeky teenager evoked a mood of deep sadness within me, even though I never knew him.

The coffin was carried out of the chapel by Steve, Dave, Joe and Karl's younger brother Michael, 17, and transported to a family plot near Steeton Top.

Donations were made to Gingerbread, a charity for single parents.

Leaving Maurice Leach & Son Funeral Directors, in Skipton Road, Keighley, I knew this town had lost a remarkable individual whose life had come to an untimely end.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.