Hundreds of mourners gathered to remember murdered twins Diane and Claire Sanderson whose bodies were found near Selby last month.

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

Yesterday around 250 friends and family of the twins congregated in the picturesque village of 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 which they both attended as children.

The twins' tearful 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 song I Will Always Love You was played.

The archdeacon of Doncaster, the Venerable Robert Fitzharris, explained 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.

''Each with their own personality and beauty, two devoted sisters always there for each other. Girls still remembered fondly by staff where they attended the church school next door.''

The archdeacon 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 murdered pensioners James and Joan Britton.

The elderly couple were found dead in their large detached house in Strensall, near York, just hours after the twins were discovered.

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

The mourners left the church after the 35-minute service to go to a private cremation.

* Former dustman Mark Hobson, 34, is charged with the murders of Diane and Claire and is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court in December for a plea and directions hearing.