The British doctor who died in a Syrian jail was finally laid to rest at the Gardens Of Peace Cemetery in Hainault on Thursday.

Dr Abbas Khan, 32, was arrested in November 2012, and was days from being freed when the Syrian government announced he had committed suicide earlier this month.

Mohamed Omer, a board member at the Elmbridge Road cemetery, attended the burial.

He said: “There was a massive turnout of about 1000 people.

“There was a subdued atmosphere but it showed the solidarity from the Muslim community. It was very sad.

“It was a day when the Muslim community came together and helped the family grieve.”

Dr Khan’s funeral had been held at Regent’s Park mosque in central London before his body was transferred to Hainault.

The Briton was arrested after arriving in Syria to work in a field hospital in a rebel-controlled area.

His family believe he was murdered whilst behind bars and reject Syrian government claims he took his own life.

Mr Omer added Dr Khan had simply travelled to the war-torn country to help with the humanitarian efforts.