HUNDREDS of mourners braved the snow to pay their respects to a “well-liked and much-loved” post office worker shot dead in an attempted armed robbery.

Craig Hodson-Walker’s family walked to the church from their store in Fairfield, near Bromsgrove, to say a final farewell to the 29-year-old. Mr Hodson-Walker was shot in the chest during a raid at the family’s post office on Friday, January 9.

His mother Judy, father Ken – who was shot in the leg during the attempted robbery at Fairfield General Stores and Post Office and was in a wheelchair – his brother James and his fiancee Lisa Bundy hugged each other in support as they made the short journey to St Mark’s parish church in Fairfield.

During the service the Rev Barbara Mapley paid tribute to the sub-postmaster’s son, saying: “Craig is constantly surrounded by love and lives on in the hearts of those who will miss him so much. He has gone on ahead of us far sooner than anyone imagined through that terrible deed but his memory is treasured and he is safe in the arms of God and we give thanks for that.”

Ms Mapley said Mr Hodson-Walker had made a “big impact” on the village because he was “so cheerful and helpful and willing to put himself out for others”.

Family and close friends crowded into the church while hundreds more gathered in the nearby village hall, where the service was relayed through a sound system. Mr Hodson-Walker’s coffin left the church accompanied by John Lennon’s song Beautiful Boy. More than 300 mourners, lined Stourbridge Road as the courtege drove to Redditch crematorium.

Four men have been charged with the murder of Mr Hodson-Walker, attempted murder and attempted robbery.

They will appear at Birmingham Crown Court for a plea hearing on Friday, July 10.