More than 400 attend funeral service for UKAF Rugby player Steff Rees

A funeral service for Royal Navy and UKAF Rugby player Steffan Rees has been held in his hometown of Aberystwyth in Wales.

More than 400 people attended, with the service broadcast to around 200 people outside the venue.

Able Rating Rees, a Naval Survival Equipment Technician based at RNAS Yeovilton, died during the International Defence Rugby Competition (IDRC) in France in August.

Members of the UKAF Rugby squad and Royal Navy colleagues joined family and his many friends to pay their final respects to Steff Rees in a moving funeral service held at Aberystwyth Crematorium.

Steff Rees died following a tragic accident near the team's training base at Dinard, Brittany.

Only a few hours before, he had helped the UKAF team secure their place in the semi-finals of the IDRC.

He was described as a "role model to so many" with promising career ahead of him.

Rugby played an important part of his life, which was highlighted in many of the warm tributes, including those from the Royal Navy and his beloved Aberystwyth Rugby Club, where he played for more than 20 years.

Despite the trauma of losing Steff, a much-loved member of the UKAF squad, the team rallied to claim third place in the IDRC tournament - a tremendous effort which they dedicated to him.

The funeral was all about remembering Steff Rees, loved by so many in rugby, the Royal Navy and by his family and friends.

It is hoped they will be comforted in the knowledge he was so highly regarded and loved.