THE funeral of a student who was to make her home in the region after studying at one of the North-East's universities takes place in France tomorrow.

Claire Burton-Page, who was 24, died in Dryburn Hospital, Durham, on January 9, after she collapsed on a rowing machine in a Durham University gym.

She will be buried in Chantilly, France. There will be a service of prayer at 1.30pm, in St John's College Chapel, to coincide with the funeral.

Anglo-French student Miss Burton-Page was one of 75 undergraduates reading for a diploma in ministerial studies, and was due to start work at All Saints' Church, Darlington. She had previously studied the subject in her home city, Paris.

She leaves her parents and four siblings.

Students have also been invited to take part in a memorial service at St John's College on Thursday, February 15, at 6pm, in Leech Hall.

Any member of the college is welcome to attend either of the services being organised at St John's.