By Anthony Bond PUBLISHED: 08:21 EST, 23 March 2012 | UPDATED: 12:08 EST, 23 March 2012 A British hostage who was killed by his captors in Nigeria during a rescue mission by UK special forces 'always made people feel special', mourners at his funeral heard today. More than 600 people gathered to pay their respects to Chris McManus, 28, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, who was killed earlier this month. Mr McManus and Italian co-worker Franco Lamolinara died on March 8 as Nigerian troops and UK Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos tried to end their captivity. Great sadness: The body of Chris McManus is taken into his funeral service today. He died earlier this month while being held hostage in Nigeria
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More than 600 people gathered to pay their respects to Chris McManus
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He died with Italian co-worker Franco Lamolinara as Nigerian troops and UK Special Boat Service commandos tried to end their captivity
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28-year-old's proud parents tell mourners they 'feel privileged' to have known him
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His devastated girlfriend told congregation they planned to marry and added: 'He was the love of my life and I'll never stop loving him'
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