Police officers stood guard as mourners attended the funeral of a teenage car crash victim.

Family and friends filled Downs Crematorium in Bear Road, Brighton, to attended Matt Sadler's service yesterday.

The 17-year-old, of Whitehawk Way, Brighton, died on February 8 when the red Mazda he was in smashed through a garden wall in Wilson Avenue, Whitehawk.

The other four occupants of the vehicle were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Family had kept the time and date of the funeral a secret to prevent uninvited people attending and upsetting relatives.

The non-religious ceremony was officiated by Humanist Martin Wooller as police manned each of the entrances to the crematorium.

He read an English translation of Roman writer Lucretius, who told his readers to live life to the full.

Mr Wooller said: "Matt touched his friends' lives deeply because he believed in and cared about them and understood their fears and worries.

"If he came into a room it was as if extra lights had been turned on. Matt tackled life head on, with little thought of the consequences.

"Nobody would disagree that Matt could be a bit of a Jack the Lad, perhaps even a tad mouthy, but he wasn't malicious or vicious."

Matt's friend Jon Warren said: "Matty never knew the word fear'. He lived his life to the full and so lived his life in the fast lane.

"He thought the world of his brothers and sisters. But most of all he was devoted to his parents Marie and Fred.

"I was very fortunate to have known Matty since he was a teen and had always thought the world of him. You just couldn't help but like him."

Former teacher Mel Reece told how Matt achieved "outstanding" exam results and helped set up an after school club for youngsters with ADHD.

She said: "Matthew wasn't afraid to tell the truth, he really, really wasn't. He became quite a role model. He wasn't afraid of a challenge."

Mourners wept as they listened to Don't Stop Me Now by Queen and Sail Away by David Gray.

Following the crash, Matt's family urged anyone who knew anything about the crash to speak to the police.

Chelsea Barnes and Amy Fitzsimmons, both 15, and Michael Morden, 16, were released from hospital with minor injuries.

Simon Piercy, 16, remains in a serious condition.

Michael Morden, of Haybourne Road, Whitehawk, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He has not been charged and has been released on police bail until March 31.