Babies share parents' coffins

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David and Michelle Statham and their four children, Reece, 13, Jay, nine, Mason, 20 months, and Ellouise, 10 weeks, died when their people carrier was involved in a five-car pile-up on the M6 on 20 October.

The coffin of chef Mr Statham, 38, was believed to have also contained the remains of Ellouise, and Mrs Statham's those of toddler Mason. Dr Who fan Jay's coffin was painted to resemble a Tardis and Reece's coffin in the colours of Aston Villa football club.

The family was returning home to North Wales after visiting relatives in Birmingham when they were involved in the crash near Sandbach, Cheshire.

The four coffins were taken into Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic church, Llandudno, last night and relatives held a vigil. About 200 mourners packed inside the church for today's service, conducted in both English and Welsh.

Mr Statham's mother, Angela, and 33-year-old Michelle's parents, Carole and Peter Hagans, were supported by friends and family from Birmingham along with friends of the couple from Llandudno and classmates of the children, representatives of the emergency services and the local community.

A further 150 people stood outside the church and listened to the Mass on a loudspeaker. The service was led by the Bishop of Wrexham, Edwin Regan, and parish priest of Our Lady, Father Antony Jones. The bishop began by offering his "deep and great sympathy" to the Stathams' families.

The funeral was held as the lorry driver involved in the crash appeared in court for the first time.

Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva, 46, of Calle Romero, Tutana, Murcia in Spain, appeared before Chester Crown Court charged with six counts of causing death by dangerous driving. During the short hearing he was joined by an interpreter in the dock and spoke only to confirm his name. A plea and case management hearing will take place on 13 January. Nogueira da Silva has been remanded in custody.

At an inquest last week at Warrington Town Hall into the death of the family coroner Nicholas Rheinberg heard the Stathams were so badly burnt in the crash they could only be identified by dental records.