ROCHESTER Cathedral was packed on Tuesday as 800 mourners gathered to celebrate the life of a much-loved young Scout leader.

Scouts, Explorers and Scout leaders wore their uniforms as a mark of respect to 18-year-old Stephen Young, who tragically fell to his death in the Cairngorms on February 15.

Members of his family and other mourners wore bright clothes in memory of the vivacious teenager, and on top of his coffin were his climbing helmet and shoes.

The congregation heard tributes describing the popular youngster as "an inspiration to other young leaders".

Wrotham vicar The Rev Canon Brenda Hurd said: "Stephen lived a short life, just 18 years, but I believe it may be he has achieved his purpose in this life.

"The presence of you all here today bears witness to that fact and so does the wonderful example he has given us."

Among the mourners were stalwart members of the Scouting community and hundreds of Borough Green residents including staff from the primary school he attended and where his mother Judy used to work.

Local councillors including Malling Mayor Cllr Sue Murray were at the service, as was Borough Green vicar the Rev Canon Tony Powell.

The overwhelming majority of the congregation were young people Stephen had met through school, Scouting and the City of Westminster University, where he was studying sound engineering.

Tributes were read by family and friends including Stephen's aunt Sue Booth and Invicta Mountaineering Club member James Fry.

The congregation was reminded of one of Stephen's biggest achievements – spending every night of 2007 under canvass to raise more than £5,000 for Demelza House children's hospice.

Mr Fry said: "He chose to do this and he could easily have given up at any time but, typically of Stephen, he knew the rules he had set himself and he stuck to them."

The Scouter, who had known Stephen since he was a small boy, added: "It was a real pleasure to see him develop into a young man with such a zest for life, which just exhausted the rest of us."

Stephen, a leader with Ightham Scouts, was one of Kent's only young Scout leaders qualified to teach climbing. He followed in the Scouting footsteps of his mother Judy Young, who leads Borough Green Scouts and the Quintain Explorers, and his uncle Andy Young, Kent Scouts' assistant commissioner for land activities – both of whom were on the February expedition up Creag Meagaidh.

Mr Fry said: "Stephen was a Scout's Scout, looked up to and admired by his peers."

His tributes were followed by loud applause.

During the service, one of Stephen's close friends Bob Entwistle, who was with him on the fatal expedition last month, read an edited version of Do not stand near the window and weep.

All members of the congregation who were or who had been Scouts or Girl Guides were invited to renew their Scout Promise.

Mourners also sang one of Stephen's favourite camp fire songs, Crazy Moose, led by Mrs Young and her Quintain Explorers.

Family mourners left the cathedral to the theme from the film Top Gun and, following a family committal at the crematorium, hundreds of colourful balloons were let off outside Rochester Castle to shouts of "oggy! oggy! oggy! oi! oi! oi!".