THERE was standing room only at St Laurence's Church in Stroud this morning at the funeral of environmentalist and lawyer Polly Higgins.

The service was led by the Rev Simon Howell, with moving words from Polly's siblings, Nicholas Higgins and Monica Wylie, Polly's husband Ian Lawrie QC, and friend and colleague Jojo Mehta.

Readings were given by Arushka Pollard and Zambodhi Schlossmacher.

Wearing a multi-coloured shepherd's coat, as per Polly's wishes, Ian Lawrie paid tribute to his 'brilliant, beautiful, spirited, cheeky, smiley wife'.

Nick Mulvey gave a live rendition of his song We Are Never Apart, a song which had always made Polly cry. The congregation joined in with the refrain 'Paint the earth on me'.

Polly's willow coffin was carried from the church, with pall bearers including Ian Lawrie, Jojo Mehta and Extinction Rebellion co-founder Gail Bradbrook.

This was followed by a procession to the burial ground in Slad.

Polly Higgins was a crusading lawyer and environmental campaigner.

She died peacefully on Easter Sunday at Leckhampton Court Hospice after being diagnosed in March with a rapid and pervasive cancer.

She was 50 years old.

Polly's mission, to which she dedicated her last 10 years, was taking forward an international crime of Ecocide to stand alongside War Crimes, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity at the International Criminal Court, making CEOs and government ministers liable to criminal prosecution for causing or contributing to the large-scale destruction of ecosystems.

For full report see next week's SNJ.