Elisa Claps death: Funeral of suspected Danilo Restivo victim

The funeral has been held in Potenza, Italy, of Elisa Claps, the teenager who disappeared after meeting convicted murderer Danilo Restivo in 1993.

Miss Claps' decomposed body was discovered in the loft of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Potenza, in 2010.

The open-air funeral service for the 16-year-old was held earlier in the town's Piazza Don Bosco.

On Thursday, Restivo was jailed for life for murdering Heather Barnett in Bournemouth, Dorset, in November 2002.

Miss Claps' family had requested the student's funeral take place outside because they did not want her to return to the church where her remains were discovered.

As many as 5,000 people gathered in the square for the ceremony where the white coffin, covered in white flowers, was placed.

Restivo denies any involvement in the disappearance and murder of Elisa Claps in Italy

The prosecution in the Heather Barnett murder case said the manner in which the mother-of-two was killed could be considered Restivo's "hallmark" and linked him to the case of Miss Claps.

Her trousers and underwear were lowered to the same level as those of Ms Barnett, and her bra was cut in the same way.

Miss Claps went missing after meeting Restivo at the Church of Holy Trinity after Mass on 12 September 1993.

Restivo admitted meeting Miss Claps but claimed he saw her leave the church.

The Italian authorities have issued a European Arrest Warrant and it is expected that Restivo, who denies killing Miss Claps, will now be extradited to Italy to stand trial for her murder.