Milly's family said the funeral was a "poignant occasion"

Her father Bob, 50, mother Sally, 43, and 17-year-old sister Gemma filed past the railway station in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, with a small band of mourners.

The 24 relatives, close friends and police officers followed a hearse carrying a white coffin, with an arrangement of white flowers spelling out the 13-year-old's nickname 'Milly'.

Mr Dowler, an IT consultant, teacher Mrs Dowler and Gemma, a student, led the mourners in walking 350 yards down Station Avenue.

We all miss her spirit and laughter terribly Bob and Sally Dowler

Ten minutes later the party left the station - where Milly shared a bag of chips with a friend shortly before she disappeared - to attend a private ceremony at St John's Crematorium in Woking.

The ceremony, held six months after Milly's body was found in woods near Fleet, Hampshire, marks the first anniversary of her disappearance.

The service was conducted by the Rev Margaret Callow and included speeches by Mr and Mrs Dowler and a song composed specially for their daughter.

Police announced on Friday that a reward of �50,000 had been put up to catch her killer.

Huge commitment to case

Surrey Police described the amount of money - which comprises �10,000 from Crimestoppers and �40,000 from the force - as "exceptional" and said it displayed the huge commitment to the case.

On Friday police will continue to stop people at the railway station in Walton-on-Thames.

Milly's parents said their lives had a "huge gap in them without her".

In a statement Mr Dowler, 50, and Mrs Dowler, 43, said: "The 12-month anniversary of Milly's last day with us is a very poignant occasion for us and we feel that it is right to mark it by finally laying her to rest.

Lives 'have a huge gap'

"We will not be able to rest ourselves until we see whoever is responsible for murdering our daughter brought to justice.

"Nothing can bring our daughter back but at least let us see her killer brought to justice.

"Milly was a beautiful daughter and our lives have a huge gap in them without her. We all miss her spirit and laughter terribly."

The couple said that Milly's Fund, which they set up to promote personal safety, gave them a lot of strength.

They have already raised �160,000 and are in the process of making a video to be shown in schools to help educate children and young adults about personal safety.