THE funeral of an East Lancashire woman found stabbed in a flat above a London pub will take place on Friday.

The body of Charlotte Flanagan has been returned home to Darwen, a month after her death at the Barley Mow pub in London's West End.

A London coroner released the 22-year-old's body after a second post mortem examination was carried out.

Her funeral had been delayed after notes and photos taken by a pathologist were stolen from his car and have yet to be found.

Charlotte, a former pupil at St Wilfrid's High School, Blackburn, was found on New Year's Day with stab wounds to the neck.

Gareth Horton, 29, who had been renting Charlotte's Walmsley Street home in Darwen, while she lived in London, was arrested in Southwark and charged with her murder.

He will re-appear in court later this month.

The funeral will take place on Friday at 1.30pm and will be held at St Bartholomew's Church, Ewood. Friends and family will be invited to attend the service, although a private burial is being held afterwards.

The family have requested family flowers only, with donations to Diabetes UK.

After leaving St Wilfrid's, Charlotte studied at Blackburn College.

She became a peer educator, working with vulnerable children in the Ribble Valley before moving to social services in Blackburn with Darwen, where she helped adults with learning difficulties.

She had planned to become a nurse.

Charlotte leaves her mother, Dorothy, father Kevin, of Melville Gardens, Darwen, an elder sister, Kate and younger brother, Luke.

Mr Flanagan said: "We have not yet heard when the inquest will be, but we're relieved the funeral is now going ahead."

Donations should be sent care of Darwen Funeral Service, who are dealing with arrangements for Friday's funeral.