Thousands of police officers and ordinary members of the public paid their respects at the funeral of a young policewoman killed in a gun and grenade attack.
Officers from across the UK, including two from each of the eight forces in Scotland, stood shoulder to shoulder, heads bowed, lining the streets of central Manchester yesterday as the funeral cortege for Constable Nicola Hughes, 23, made its way to the city's cathedral for the service.
They were joined on Deansgate by hundreds of members of the public who heeded a call from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) for "decent people" to stand with the force and show support for Constable Hughes and her colleague, Constable Fiona Bone, 32.
Both officers were lured to their deaths by what appeared to be a routine burglary call to a house in Hattersley, Tameside, on September 18.
Police motorcycle outriders provided a guard of honour ahead of the cortege, led by the funeral carriage pulled by six horses from GMP's mounted unit and bearing the coffin, shrouded in black cloth.
The family of Constable Hughes including her mother, Susan, father, Bryn, and younger brother, Sam, led mourners into the cathedral following the coffin, carried by colleagues of the policewoman, with the fallen officer's hat and a floral tribute atop.
Officers from forces nationwide volunteered to cover the shifts of GMP colleagues so they could join the 1000 mourners inside the cathedral.
A big screen also relayed the funeral to hundreds more gathered outside.
Police chaplain Keith Stewart said Constable Hughes was born at the Royal Oldham Hospital in 1988, attended Saddleworth High School and went on to study at Huddersfield University before joining the police. He asked mourners to "remember a vibrant young woman".
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy spoke of Constable Hughes being "incredibly mature" despite her years, adding that she died from "her own devotion to others".
"Nicola showed that policing is not about muscle but reason, restraint and intelligence," he said.
The funeral of Constable Bone will be held tomorrow morning.
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