LONDON (AFP) - Family and friends staged a party funeral on Friday to bid farewell to Hannah Witheridge, one of two British tourists murdered on a Thai holiday island.

The funeral in her home village of Hemsby in Norfolk, eastern England, was marked by bright colours, cheering and applause.

The 23-year-old's parents had asked people to dress brightly for what they called "Hannah's Party", rather than grieve over her killing.

The village church was packed out and around 50 people listened to the service outside on speakers, while locals lined the funeral cortege route to pay their respects.

The battered bodies of Witheridge and David Miller, 24, were found on the popular resort island of Koh Tao on Sept 15, rocking the small community.

Two Myanmar nationals have been charged with murder and the country's president has asked Thailand's premier to ensure a "clean and fair" investigation.

Earlier this week, the Witheridge family paid tribute to Hannah, saying she would be "sorely missed by all who knew her".

They added: "She was dedicated, ambitious and would have made an amazing difference to the lives of many families through her chosen career as a speech and language therapist.

"As a family we hope that the right people are found and brought to justice."