A CLOSE friend of an alleged murder victim paid tribute to a "shy and selfless" person as more than a hundred mour-ners attended his funeral.

The service for David Brown, 24, was held at St Mary's RC Church, Langho, today, before his body was taken to the Whalley and Wiswell cemetery.

David, who grew up in Burnley, died on the steps of his flat in Hulme, Manchester, in September after being stabbed three times in his thighs during what police said they suspected was a robbery gone wrong.

He had recently quit his job to realise his dream of teaching English in Spain and was due to start a four-year course in Spanish at Manchester Metropolitan University.

At the funeral his friend Dominic paid an emotional farewell to the former Burnley College student.

He said: "David, you were the quiet one of our group. You did not want the limelight and you are probably looking from heaven cringing but we wanted you to know how much we loved you.

"You always shied away from trouble and conflict and you were a gentle giant.

You were so selfless, which is a rare and beautiful quality.

"You were one of the nicest people I've ever met.

"You were the best friend anyone could dream of having and I want to say you will always be in our hearts."

David's mum Sylvia Stansfield, 51, of Laburnum Close, father Peter, of Hollingreave Road, and sister Zoe Brown, 29, of Piccadilly Road, all Burnley, then listened as another of his friends, Mark, read out a poem.

David also went to St Stephen's Primary School, Burnley, Mansfield High School, Brierfield.

  • A 38-year-old man has been remanded in custody until December charged with David's murder.