The funerals of the North-East mother and her two children - bludgeoned to death by her police officer husband - took place yesterday.

The bodies of Jill Bluestone and brothers Henry, aged three, and 18-month-old Chandler, were taken in a funeral procession to Nunthorpe Methodist Church, near Middlesbrough.

A single hearse carrying all three coffins was followed by cars carrying close family members.

All three were killed by PC Karl Bluestone at their home in Gravesend, Kent, on August 28.

There were no flowers adorning the hearse, which arrived on a grey, wet afternoon.

Mrs Bluestone's coffin was taken into the church first, followed by the tiny wooden caskets of her two children.

They were led in by the Reverend Helen Jobling before a large crowd of mourners entered the church.

During a 25-minute service the minister spoke warmly of the lives which were lost in the tragedy.

Ms Jobling said: ''We are here to give thanks to God for three members of the family who were special - Jill, Henry and Chandler.

''Born just 18 months ago, Chandler was a quiet little boy. He was discovering words and discovering his feet. He had just started walking.

''Henry, three years old, a lively happy little lad. He loved his gingerbread boy story book, and playing with his cars.

"Henry with a little stammer so you waited for the words - and they always came.

"Two lovely children and their mother Jill."

Ms Jobling told the congregation the story of Jill's early years in Middlesbrough and how she met and later married her husband Karl.

She said: ''This mother and her two children have met a tragic death.

"You have your own special thoughts and memories of them. They will help to sustain you and perhaps in time help to soften your grief.

''These last ten days have been so hard for you. But you have come through it. You have shown courage."

The three coffins, adorned with matching yellows wreaths, were taken out to the hearse followed by weeping mourners at the end of the service.

Arm in arm, the family members made their way to a pair of black funeral cars, which would take them to a private family service at Teesside Crematorium.

Funeral arrangements for Mr Bluestone, who hanged himself from his garage door after the attack on his family, have not yet been released.

Mrs Bluestone, a senior manager at Basildon District Council in Essex, was found dead in the kitchen at their home at about 10.30pm on Tuesday August 28 by police.

Their son Henry was discovered at the bottom of the stairs.

Chandler was discovered in his cot with severe head injuries and died later at Darent Valley hospital in Dartford.