HUNDREDS of mourners gathered to remember twins Diane and Claire Sanderson, who died last month.

The bodies of the 27-year-old sisters were discovered in Camblesforth near Selby, North Yorkshire, on July 18.

Yesterday, about 250 friends and family of the twins gathered in East Cowick, East Yorkshire, where the girls grew up.

A funeral procession of seven cars left the centre of the village, where Diane lived with her parents, and moved slowly past the primary school they both attended.

The twins' parents, George, 56, and his 54-year-old wife Jacqueline, walked arm-in-arm to the 150-year-old Holy Trinity Church for the funeral service.

As the mourners entered the church, Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You was played.

The Archdeacon of Doncaster, the Venerable Robert Fitzharris, said that a CD of the song had been given to Mr Sanderson by Diane as a present.

He said: ''Their wicked and untimely taking leaves a hole that no words can ever fill, nor should they.''

He described the twins as beautiful girls.

He said: ''Each with their own personality and beauty, they were two devoted sisters always there for each other.

"The girls are still remembered fondly by staff where they attended the church school next door."

Archdeacon Fitzharris said the twins were talented athletes who excelled at cross-country and 800m events.

As the coffins were taken from the church, Ronan Keating's If Tomorrow Never Comes was played.

Outside the church, dozens of bouquets and tributes were on display.

One tribute, from Diane's boyfriend, Ian, read: ''Diane my brown-eyed girl. Miss you more than anyone can imagine. Love you. See you every night. Love Ian."

Another floral tribute was sent by Catherine Wilkins, the daughter of pensioners James and Joan Britton.

The couple were found dead in their large detached house in Strensall, near York, hours after the bodies of the twins were found.

The service brought the small community to a standstill as traffic was stopped to allow the funeral procession to travel to the church.

The mourners left after the 35-minute service for a private cremation.

* Former dustman Mark Hobson, 34, of New Lane, Selby, is charged with the murders of Diane and Claire and Mr and Mrs Britton, and will appear at Leeds Crown Court in December.