HUNDREDS of mourners have paid their respects to murder victim Thomas Ward.

The Comet: Friends and family comfort Thomas Ward's widow as his coffin is loaded into the hearseFriends and family comfort Thomas Ward's widow as his coffin is loaded into the hearse (Image: Archant)

A funeral for the 21-year-old was held in Hatfield on Friday, six weeks after he was fatally shot on a caravan site in Dyes Lane, Stevenage.

The Comet: The hearse is escorted down the street towards the cemeteryThe hearse is escorted down the street towards the cemetery (Image: Archant)

Family and friends gathered for the service at St Peter’s Catholic Church from midday, including Thomas’ wife Theresa and his daughter Lilly, who was five days old when her father was killed on April 23.

A banner on the outside of the church, bearing pictures of Thomas, read: ‘World’s greatest’.

Investigations into Thomas’ death continue, and detectives want to speak to his second cousin John Boy Ward and his pregnant wife Joleen Josie Ward about the murder.

An appeal for information was aired on BBC One’s Crimewatch on May 30, featuring CCTV footage of John Boy and cars the police are searching for.

A reward of up to £5,000 is also being offered by Crimestoppers to anyone who provides the independent charity with information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone linked to the incident. You can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.