A woman who lived life to the full, was how mourners remembered the life of former Chippenham woman Denise Higgins.

About 120 people attended the funeral of Mrs Higgins at West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington, on Tuesday and they were told that 52-year-old Mrs Higgins would have wanted them to celebrate her life.

Mrs Higgins was murdered in Goa, India, last month after moving there last October.

She formerly lived in Norman Close, Chippenham, and for 17 years was a support worker at Trowbridge based charity Splitz Support Service.

She counselled women and families and specialised in the field of domestic violence.

A number of tributes from victims of domestic violence were read out at the service and a number of her former clients were present to pay their respects.

One tribute from a woman who met Mrs Higgins when she was living in a refuge in Devizes said: "This woman was incredibly special and I felt proud to have known her."

Another victim of domestic violence said: "She was such an inspiration to me when I went through domestic violence and she showed me how to be a survivor, not a victim. She worked very hard."

Fran Lewis, the chief executive of Splitz who worked with Mrs Higgins and was a good friend, said she and Mrs Higgins shared two passions, a Christian faith and Splitz.

She made people laugh when she recalled what a scary experience it was when Mrs Higgins drove as she was not tall enough to see over the dashboard.

Mrs Higgins' brother Bob Wilson fought back tears as he spoke of his memories.

He said: "Denise made it quite clear if the unthinkable were to happen we would celebrate a life not mourn her death."

Mrs Higgins is survived by her children, Darren and Cheryl, her brothers Bob and Gary, and her parents Tony and Cynthia.

Jeff Cook, who led the service and is part of the Christian Fellowship team at Bradford-on-Avon, said Mrs Higgins was a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

He said: "Denise had spent her life doing good and bringing inner healing to those who had been abused and amazingly to those who had abused.

"Denise lived a life that was rich, a life that was lived to the full."

He likened her to the American preacher Martin Luther King who also died a tragic death.

He said: "I suggest we need to remember Denise in this same hall of fame."

When You Say Nothing At All' by Ronan Keating was played at the beginning and end of the service.

Donations in memory of Mrs Higgins were collected for Splitz Support Service and Mother Theresa.

After the service Mrs Lewis said: "I'm thrilled with the support we have had from the whole community and I would like to thank everyone for coming to the funeral today and those that sent us tributes which I will pass on to Denise's children."