600 Gather For Christina's Funeral

600 people gather at Birmingham Cathedral to pay tribute to 16 year old schoolgirl Christina Edkins

The teenager was travelling from Birmingham to Leasowes school in Halesowen on Thursday March 7th when she was stabbed in the chest on the number 9 bus on Hagley Road heading out of the city centre.

Very Revd Catherine Ogle, Dean of Birmingham says "It is a sad privilege for Birmingham Cathedral to conduct the funeral for Christina, and we extend heart-felt sympathy and prayers to her family and friends. This death is very hard to bear and we ask all those who mourn the loss of this lovely and bright young woman to join us in prayer on Friday.

Our space in the Cathedral is limited, and entry to the funeral needs to be restricted, but where ever people are they can join in prayer for comfort and peace for all those affected by Christina"s tragic death."

She was brought down Colmore Row on a horse drawn carriage with the family following behind in two cars.

Her cousin Stephen Newby made this statment before the service:

A candle-lit vigil was held at St Phillips Cathedral on the night of Thursday the 21st of March.

A 22 year old man sectioned under the mental health act, remains in custody, having been charged with her murder.