Paula at peace at last

PAULA Clennell is today in her final resting place in England's most northern town.

About 50 members of her family gathered to say their last farewells to the 24-year-old yesterday.

Buried in her father's hometown of Berwick-upon-Tweed the funeral was a strictly family affair.

Prior to the service two police officers searched the grounds of the cemetery to ensure nobody uninvited was in attendance.

They then stood guard at the gates of the cemetery ensuring none of the 15 journalists got too close to the chapel.

At about 1.30pm the first mourners arrived at Tweedmouth Cemetery as snow began to fall. The female bagpipe player performed as members of the family entered the cemetery's chapel. She played several pieces including Amazing Grace.

The bagpipe player, believed to be a relative of Miss Clennell, then fell quiet as she and other mourners awaited the arrival of the cortege.

Then at 2pm the black hearse rounded the corner into Cemetery Lane, the waiting media pack scrambling for a few short moments for a picture.

The hearse swung through the gates of the cemetery followed by a limousine carrying members of Miss Clennell's family.

Her father had arrived earlier and joined the procession at the door of the chapel.

As the coffin pulled into the cemetery the bagpipes struck up again as the hearse was driven to the doors of the chapel.

The coffin was surrounded by an array of bouquets and dressed in what appeared to be a white floral cross.

The white coffin with gold handles was then taken into the chapel by six pallbearers, one dressed in a kilt.

About six people remained outside in the bitter cold while the funeral service took place.

Then just after 2.40pm the coffin emerged from the chapel and was placed back into the hearse to be taken the short distance uphill to the site of Miss Clennell's burial.

Family surrounded the hearse and followed it uphill to Miss Clennell's final resting place.

She was buried aloft the hill overlooking Berwick and its coastline.