HUNDREDS of mourners who gathered to pay their final respects to a young rugby player were told of the unfairness and cruelty which surrounds drugs.

The service for Phillip Smith was held at Worcester Crematorium yesterday, eight days after his death after apparently experimenting with drugs at his parents' home in Tetbury Drive, Warndon.

Many stood outside in the rain as the Smith family, including his mother Colleen, step-father Anthony Holmes, and sister Cindy, made their way to the front of the crematorium, before the Rev Dominic Melville tried to comfort the huge congregation - the majority whom were the 23-year-old's peers.

Bewilderment

They sang The Lord is My Shepherd, before Mr Melville spoke of the bewilderment felt when a youngster dies.

"A death so young brings a sense of injustice," he said, before focussing on what is believed to be the cause of the tragedy.

"It's cruel, unfair and unjust that drugs are so freely available, so readily and cruelly pushed and so lightly treated," he said.

He called on Phillip's friends in the 500-strong gathering to remember the good times they had with him.

"We come here to celebrate his love of rugby, his hard work and most of all his friendship," said Mr Melville.

The congregation then joined together to sing Abide With Me, described by Mr Melville as "a sportsman's hymn", before making their way outside to the strains of One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.

Many then took time to read the floral tributes.

They included a 3ft wreath made of carnations shaped into the word "Brother".

The card read: "Phil, I cannot describe the pain you have left me and never having my big brother near me".

It was signed "Your loving sister Cindy".