MORE than 600 mourners paid tribute to Bromsgrove Rovers star Ashley Read, who died from injuries sustained in a car crash.

The funeral of the 19-year-old footballer took place yesterday at Belbroughton church, Bromsgrove, with his teammates acting as pall-bearers.

"It was a very emotional time for friends, family and the football club and it typified everything about Ashley," said Rover's joint manager Gary Hackett. "It was a fine tribute to him."

"I think that everybody was startled by the turnout. The church was full of people and others were waiting outside."

Mr Read was travelling home with his girlfriend along the A491 Hagley to Bromsgrove road when their car was in collision with another vehicle on Sunday, February 23.