The funeral of a Scottish backpacker murdered in New Zealand was attended by hundreds of mourners in Orkney today.

Family and friends gathered at East Mainland Church on Orkney to remember "bubbly, bright and cheerful" Karen Aim.

Miss Aim, 26, was killed as she made her way home from a night out with friends in the North Island town of Taupo in New Zealand, in the early hours of January 17.

Police are still hunting her killer.

Her body arrived back at the parish of Holm on mainland Orkney on Sunday night after a 12,000-mile journey by air and sea.

Miss Aim's parents, Brian and Peggy, and brother Alan were joined by hundreds of mourners for the service, which they said was a celebration of her life.

The service, which began at 11am, was being conducted by Reverend Miriam Gross.

The small church opened its doors an hour before the service for a special slide show display, showing Miss Aim at different stages in her life.

A tent was also set up outside for mourners who could not fit into the church.

Miss Aim's burial was taking place later today at Holm Cemetery.

Her murder has horrified the island communities of Orkney and Taupo.

A memorial service was held in Taupo at 5.30pm New Zealand time (4.30am UK time) today to coincide with Miss Aim's funeral.

Her aunt, Violet Perfect, who lives in New Zealand and saw her niece regularly, remembered the happy times they had together in message released today.

"Whenever Karen stayed with us, the whole house changed as if a light had been switched on," she said.

"She was the most out there person we have ever known. She absolutely buzzed with life.

"She loved life; she loved New Zealand; she loved Taupo; she loved her job and she loved all her new friends.

"Now her bright light has been cruelly snuffed out. She died in unimaginable terror and pain after being savagely beaten on a street corner.

"As for her family, a piece of them will have died with her. They have been condemned to live without her, remembering how she died.

"The killers, hopefully, will be caught but justice will never be done."

A memorial fund has also been set up in her name.

Miss Aim had been working in Taupo following her arrival in October.

It was the traveller's second stay in the resort town known for its sky-diving and bungee jumping.

She was found lying in the street in the early hours of January 17 after a night out with friends.

New Zealand police investigating Miss Aim's murder today released two photos taken from the security camera footage captured at Taupo's Nui-a-Tia College on the morning of her death.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said the two images show a person riding a bicycle in the college grounds at 2.06am and 2.10am on January 17.

Mr Turner said the images were recorded around the time it is believed school buildings were damaged.

"We also believe that Karen Aim would have walked past the college at about the same time," said Mr Turner.

"A focus of the homicide inquiry is to identify the person shown in the images. This person may have information that would lead to the person or people responsible for the damage to the college."

New Zealand Police have made repeated calls for information about Miss Aim's murder.

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested, but this is not being connected directly to the attack.