FAMILY and friends will celebrate the life of Karen Crews, a former learning assistant at FitzWimarc school in Rayleigh, at her funeral next week.

The body of Mrs Crews, 50, was found at the side of the A12 at Capel St Mary, on the Suffolk-Essex border, on Tuesday May 13.

The mum-of-three, from Alexandra Road, Rayleigh, died of multiple injuries. A blue Peugeot 406 believed to belong to her was found in a nearby layby.

A service to honour her life will be held at Christ Church United Reform Church, in Crown Hill, Rayleigh, at 11am on Friday June 6.

A cremation will then take place at 12.40pm at Southend Crematorium, in Sutton Road, for family, close friends and those unable to attend the church service.

Flowers for the funeral are from family only, but should anyone wish to make a donation, they can make a cheque out to: Motor Neurone Disease Association South Essex Branch and forward them to AR Adams, 117 High Street, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 7QA.

This registered charity helps in the fight of the incurable Motor Neurone Disease, which Mrs Crews completed a sponsored walk for a few days before her death.