AROUND 200 people packed out Swanage’s St Mary’s Church on Wednesday to attend the memorial service for talented musician Jesse Jones.

Jesse, described as one of life’s true individuals, disappeared after a night out with friends in Swanage town centre.

The body of the university graduate washed up on a nearby beach days later.

By then, more than 1,800 people had joined a Facebook group dedicated to locating him.

Among those helping in the online search were celebrities Eddie Izzard, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross and Alan Carr, who all used their Twitter sites to spread the word.

The Please Help Search for Jesse Jones website became a memorial to the 24-year-old, with hundreds of people eventually posting messages of condolences, where messages of hope were written hours previously.

Speaking at the remembrance service, devastated dad Derek, said: "His achievements in his short life were numerous, and when I look around today I realise how much he was loved and respected by so many.

"Jesse was a very modest man, few knew about his musical talents – he played guitar, drums and harmonica. He had an incredible singing voice. He was kind and caring to those he loved."

Friends of Jesse and his younger sister Laura also spoke at the service.

And a video tribute, which has already been posted online, showed Jesse playing guitar and singing.

The talented young man, who loved the 1960s and 70s, is an undoubted loss to the world of music – friends said his style encapsulated the spirit of an early John Lennon.

The Beatles track Let it Be was played in the church, that was adorned with floral tributes.

One particularly moving floral tribute, from Jesse’s sister, was shaped liked a guitar.

At the start of the service, Derek told the gathered mourners about a vivid, lasting memory he had of his son.

Jesse’s mum, Patsy, was in a coma after an operation to remove a brain tumour. The doctors said the outcome looked bleak, but Jesse – aged just seven - refused to give up.

His dad recalled: "Jesse took hold of his mother’s hand and began screaming at her, ‘Mummy, mummy, wake up.’ "I saw a miracle that day, because she woke up and started to improve every day.

"I really believe Jesse brought his mum back from the brink."

Jesse’s girlfriend Tanya Chancellor joined his family at the service.