Moors Murderer Myra Hindley, who died last week the most hated woman in Britain, was cremated last night after a short funeral ceremony.

Twelve mourners, including the priest who conducted the 20-minute service, were at the City of Cambridge crematorium.

The public were kept away from the ceremony by police.

The service was carried out behind closed doors and the only witnesses to the arrival of Hindley's coffin were about 25 police officers and around 50 journalists.

The coffin was adorned with three floral tributes, with a fourth flower arrangement placed alongside in the hearse.

It was not revealed who sent the flowers, and police said the floral tributes would be destroyed - although any cards would be kept and handed to her family.

Police had mounted a large security operation to prevent any attempt to disrupt the ceremony.

But the only sign of protest was a large white handwritten sign left at the crematorium which read: "Burn in hell."

Police said the sign had been left by a middle aged woman about ten minutes before Hindley's coffin arrived.

She told officers she had been upset at a photograph of flowers with a card saying "Rest in peace Myra" which had appeared in newspapers yesterday.

The service was conducted by Catholic priest Father Michael Teader.

No members of Hindley's family were among the mourners, who arrived shortly before the hearse in a number of cars.

They drove around the back of the crematorium and entered through a side door.

Hindley had requested that Adagio for Strings by Italian composer Albinoni be played at her funeral and a mass for the repose of her soul should be offered.

After the service, her ashes were handed to a representative from the prison service. They will be disposed of at a private location in accordance with her family's wishes.