THERE was not a dry eye in sight when loving mother Angela Fairs paid tribute to her treasured son Matthew at his funeral yesterday.

More than 300 friends and family gathered at Upper Stratton Baptist Church to celebrate the life of the 20-year-old Swindon Town fan.

Extra chairs were brought in and many watched the service on projector screens in adjoining rooms to get the chance to say goodbye to Matty. His mother, Angela, fought back the tears as she remembered Matty’s sense of humour and caring personality.

She told the crowds how he had always made her laugh by calling her ‘Angie’ when she did not respond to ‘mum’ and everyone was laughing when she remembered their trip to Minehead to see Peter Andre.

“We found out Peter Andre was in the room above us and you were looking out the window and waving at the people below. You were saying ‘hold on girls I’m just getting ready I’ll be there in a minute’ and then you put gel in your hair,” she said.

“You are a shining star and I miss you.”

Matty, of Penhill, died on November 30 after suffering a heart attack when he was on his way to play darts.

The former Crowdy’s Hill pupil, who was a cancer survivor and had a heart transplant in 2004, had been making the most of every minute. Matty’s Swindon Town covered coffin was brought in to Lionel Richie’s ‘Hello’ because he had had everyone in stitches when he sang it at the transplant games party.

His sisters Fiona and Vicky, and his brother Ian also paid tribute to their caring brother and remembered the good times.

Ian said his brother was his biggest inspiration and that he would miss him dearly.

Team mates and rival team mates of the Abbey Meads darts captain came to pay their respects, as well as teachers, schoolfriends, colleagues and hundreds of people whose lives had been touched by Matty.

The ceremony finished with Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds’, and it was followed by a celebration at the Abbey Meads pub.