Llywelyn Evans' coffin arrives at Holy Trinity Church in Llandudno.

Five hundred mourners packed into Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno, for the service to remember 24-year-old Llywelyn Evans, with 800 more listening outside.

Six colleagues from 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery, turned pall bearers as they carried their friend into the church.

Llywelyn - known as Welly - died along with 11 others on the first day of the Iraqi conflict.

Draped in the Union flag, the coffin was followed by his mother Theresa Evans and her husband Gordon, brothers Lee, 20, Dewi, 18, and Jaimie, 17, and fianc�e Becky Williams.

Llywelyn had been due to marry fianc�e Becky Williams

The couple were due to marry next year.

Ms Williams told the congregation: "Welly was one of these people you meet once and never forgot.

"Welly had a sparkle and when he smiled his whole face glowed.

"He was like a bright light in a dark room.

"Without him saying a word I always felt loved and safe - I still do."

Tribute

She read Rupert Brooke's poem Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep before continuing her own tribute.

She said: "I want to thank Welly for sharing his life with me. We had seven fantastic years of love, laughter and great times.

"I am so lucky to have had that time with him. He was very special.

"In his last letter he promised he would be a good husband and make me happy.

"I have no doubt he would have.

"Until we meet again my memories will keep him close and I will love and miss him always."

Army padre Major the Rev Rory MacLeod read a tribute on behalf of Llywelyn's mother, Theresa Evans.

Salute

It said: "He has done us all a great honour in giving his best in everything he did.

"A life lost for the nation of Wales.

"Well done son, your job is done. Rest in peace."

An eight-gun salute was later sounded at the burial service in Llanrhos Lawn Cemetery.

Llywelyn (centre) and his friends called themselves "The Conway Crushers"

Llywelyn was one of six young men from the same street in Llandudno who went out to serve in the Gulf.

All from Conway Road, they called themselves the Conway Crushers.

Just hours after the war started, the American CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter he was travelling in crashed in the Kuwaiti desert.

His brother Lee, 20, was in the helicopter behind, and saw the aircraft go down.

He remained on the front line for three days before returning to his family on compassionate leave.

Llandudno Rugby Club, where Llywelyn played for the first XV, has cancelled Saturday's match in Mold as a mark of respect.