Slough Crematorium was packed today as friends and admirers of Valerie Storie said goodbye to a woman who fought back and won against terrible adversity.

Reverend Janet Minkkinen officiated at the service.

She said: "Valerie was a good Samaritan - devoting herself to people who were disabled like herself. She leaves a wonderful example to all who knew and loved her."

She was referring to Miss Storie's work with the Slough Community Transport Service, the charity that she helped build up to provide transport for the disabled.

Friend Adrian Hobbs paid his own personal tribute to the former Slough High School pupil, who lived her whole life in Cippenham.

He talked about the vibrant girl who worked at a scientific laboratory in Slough, belonging to the Civil Service Motoring Association, organising and taking part in car rallies.

Her life was disrupted in 1961 when she and her friend and work colleague Michael Gregsten were targeted in their car on Dorney Common by James Hanratty.

He shot them both, killing Mr Gregsten and leaving Miss Storie paralysed.

Mr Hobbs described how Miss Storie determinedly continued to drive, taking new driving tests to prove she could handle specially modified cars.

She battled declining health that ended her driving. But she kept in touch with the world of cars, writing reports on road safety based on her extensive knowledge.

Mr Hobbs said: "She was extremely stubborn and thank God she was or she would never have survived."

The 100 or so friends who packed the main area of the crematorium and its upstairs gallery reflected the many aspects of Miss Storie's life and interests.

She was president and press officer respectively for two Women's Institute groups and organised the newsletter for Old Paludians Association on behalf of her old school.

Tracing peoples' family histories was also a hobby of hers - through her involvement as a trustee with the Berkshire Family History Society.