ST PETER'S Church in Bath Road, Devizes, was full to capacity yesterday for the funeral of 32-year-old Luke Wright, who died suddenly at the Pines Hotel in Chippenham last week.

Mr Wright's father, Anthony, led the mourners and was supported by his daughter Sadie.

The Rev David Howard, vicar of Potterne, who took the service, said Mr Wright was very well liked as shown by the number of mourners.

Born in Devizes, he attended St Peter's Primary and Devizes School, joining the Army after leaving school in 1988. But the death of his mother the following year was a blow from which he took a long time to recover, said Mr Howard.

On leaving the Army, he took a number of different jobs, mainly at Hygrade Foods in Chippenham and Dyson's in Malmesbury.

But it was as a judo player with the successful Devizes Judo Club he will be most remembered. He was a south-west regional champion in his weight category.

Mr Howard said: "He was hard-working, conscientious and reliable at work and very popular with everyone he knew. His death will leave a big hole in our community."

Mr Howard referred to the accident Mr Wright suffered when he fell from a bridge in Bath, incurring serious head injuries.

It had taken him nearly a year to recover from the effects of the injuries.

Mr Howard said Mr Wright had been looking forward to moving into his new flat in Chippenham.

His sister Sadie gave a reading and the hymns included All Things Bright and Beautiful and The Lord's My Shepherd.

An interment took place at Devizes Cemetery after the service.

A collection was taken for the Dorothy House Hospice.

Mr Wright had been living at the Pines Hotel in Chippenham for about three months.

His father became concerned when he was unable to contact him and police were called on June 4. His body was found in his room.