THE FUNERAL has taken of murdered traffic warden Jean Dicker, who was remembered as a "lovely mum and nan."Mrs Dicker, 58, was found battered to death at her bungalow in Craigfield Avenue, Clacton, on January 29 this year.

THE FUNERAL has taken of murdered traffic warden Jean Dicker, who was remembered as a "lovely mum and nan."

Mrs Dicker, 58, was found battered to death at her bungalow in Craigfield Avenue, Clacton, on January 29 this year. Police subsequently discovered her old-style mobile phone, handbag and credit cards were missing.

Mrs Dicker yesterday finally laid to rest at Clacton Cemetery, next to her husband, Len, who died last May.

The service in the cemetery chapel was taken by the Reverend Norman Wright, who conducted Mr Dicker's funeral.

About 80 people, including Mrs Dicker's children, Tracy and Steve, some of her seven grandchildren and step grandchildren, and her brother and sister-in-law John and May Albrecht attended the funeral.

The Rev Wright read out a tribute to Mrs Dicker written by Tracy, which said her mother had found it hard to come to terms with the loss of her husband but was rebuilding her life. She had joined Great Clacton Bowls Club and was about to start taking her two dachshunds to Clacton Hospital as part of the Pets as Therapy scheme.

Her mother was a "spirited person" who won a bravery trophy in 1995 while she was working as a traffic warden in Colchester because she helped catch two burglars who had stolen a ring.

Mrs Dicker had been a gymnastics coach in Colchester and West Mersea and was also a keen motorcyclist. She was a dog-lover who exhibited at Crufts. Since her death one of the dogs has been re-homed and her daughter has the other one.

The tribute concluded: "We hope that the police will catch the perpetrator of this awful crime and justice will be done."

Det Supt Gareth Wilson, who is leading the investigation, said: "I still have a full team working on this incident. We still do get information and as we get information in we are working very hard to bottom it out."

Mr Wilson reiterated his appeal for information about the mobile phone, handbag and credit cards, which are still outstanding.

He also asked for information about a person in a grey hooded top seen in Craigfield Avenue on the night of the murder. Police are not sure whether it was a man or a woman. He asked for that person to come forward as they might have witnessed something.

Anyone with any information should contact the major investigations unit on 01206 762122.