Applause rang out at St Nicholas Church in Bromham in tribute to popular mother-of-two Julie Kember.

More than 350 people attended the funeral service of the hairdresser who lost her brave battle against cancer on January 28, aged 44.

Mrs Kember lived most of her life in Bromham and touched the lives of everybody she met, the service was told on Tuesday.

In the church were framed photographs of Mrs Kember smiling and condolence books.

Bromham vicar, the Rev John Rees, said: “This is a service to celebrate Julie’s life. Julie was an inspirational woman who lived life to the full. The sheer number of you here shows it more powerfully than anything I can say.”

He said Mrs Kember had a zest for life and an infectious sense of humour and was devoted to her family.

“Julie was a remarkable and very special woman. People looked forward to having their hair done by Julie. They loved talking to her about their lives, sharing their joys and troubles,” he said.

Mrs Kember’s 11-year-old daughter, Ellie, paid tribute to her. She said: “Mummy is an angel, the prettiest of them all, she is watching over us all.”

Kaye Andrews, a friend of Mrs Kember’s since childhood, said: “Ju was a very special person who never judged and always tried to understand. She had two lovely husbands and two children who made her very proud. When you were with Ju she always made you laugh. Ju was a beautiful person inside and out, we all loved her.”

Both received applause and following them was Mrs Kember’s husband, Ady, who thanked everybody for their support and cards. He also thanked the staff at Dorothy House Hospice, where his wife was cared for, plus the district nurses from the Melksham neighbourhood team.

He added: “Bromham is a very, very special place and it made Julie very proud to live in this village.”

Everyone in church joined in his request for a round of applause for his wife.