FRIENDS and family of stabbed teenager Rebecca Rice today said their final goodbyes to the talented and loyal young woman.Rebecca's body was due to be laid to rest today as dozens of people gathered to pay their final respects.

FRIENDS and family of stabbed teenager Rebecca Rice were due to say their final goodbyes to the talented and loyal young woman.

Rebecca's body was due to be laid to rest today as dozens of people gathered to pay their final respects.

The 18-year-old was found stabbed to death in the kitchen of her home in The Street, Pettistree last month.

In the days and weeks following her alleged murder those who shared her hobbies of horse riding have joined her devastated friends and mother in paying tribute to Rebecca.

They spoke of her array of hobbies, her love for her friends and family and her ambitions for the future.

Friends have spoken of her “loyalty” to them

Anne Rice, Rebecca's mum, said she had talked about doing an apprenticeship as a plumber or electrician and had due to begin to work at Suffolk Coastal District Council the day after her body was discovered.

Today, a horse drawn hearse was due to take Rebecca's body from Bridge Farm Livery Stables, on the edge of Wickham Market to Wickham Market Church, where the Reverend Betty Mockford was due to carry out the service at 2pm today.

Rebecca's parents Anne and Patrick Rice were planning to speak at the service and, last week, Mrs Rice told the Star that a song, written by Rebecca's cousin ten-year-old Emma Summerhayes would probably be played.

Emma's 14-year-old brother wrote the music to the song, the words of which read: “All the times you played with me, me and you together; All the things you shared with me; I can't imagine life without you.”

Following the service Rebecca's body was to be laid at rest at Letheringham Church.

The family requested donations be made to The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre , The International League for the Protection of Horses or The Donkey Sanctuary .

Stuart Adcock, 33, of The Street, Pettistree, has been charged with murdering Rebecca. He will appear

before Ipswich Crown Court at a later date.

Do you have a message for Rebecca's family? Write to: Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail: eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.