A YOUNG widow whose terminally-ill husband lost his fight for life has told of their "true love".

Katie Creton, 23, only married her sweetheart Chris Boakes in June.

But Chris, 26, died at his Ninehams Road home in Caterham last month of cardiomyopathy – a debilitating heart and liver disorder.

The funeral on Monday saw the Sacred Heart Church in Caterham near to capacity with about 200 relatives and friends, and colleagues as members of the congregation.

Holding back tears, Katie paid a moving tribute to her late husband.

Addressing Chris, she said: "You were an amazing husband and a true gentleman.

"You gave me the best years of my life and taught me so much.

"We had something many people wait a lifetime for: true love.

"I will always feel your footprints following me and guiding me."

His uncle Geoff told mourners: "Chris would want to say 'what are you lot looking so miserable for? It was fantastic to see him marrying Katie a few months ago.

"She made him so happy that day – it was the happiest day of his life."

Geoff added that Chris had received huge support from his friends as his condition worsened "but unfortunately time was against us".

The service was conducted by parish priest Father Kieran Gardiner.

He told mourners: "It is my sad, sad but honoured duty to conduct this funeral.

"The love and support Chris has received does not end at his death."

The passage from the Gospel according to Matthew Chapter V, verses i-xii, 'How happy are the poor in spirit' was read by Rev David Attwood, the vicar at Ide Hill in Kent where the couple were married on a gloriously-warm day three months ago.

Environmental supporter Chris chose a cardboard coffin. It was festooned with hand-written messages from loved ones including "keep on smiling dude" and "always in our hearts".

His body was transported in procession to Surrey and Sussex Crematorium, near Worth. Mourners returned to the Sacred Heart Hall for the wake.

A £250,000 appeal was launched in the spring for a life-saving heart-and-liver transplant for Chris in the US, but appeal funds only got about a quarter of their way to the target before his death.

They will be passed on to aid other sufferers.