Funeral for motorway crash family

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

Chef Mr Statham, 38, and his 33-year-old wife were returning home to Llandudno after visiting relatives in Birmingham when they were involved in the crash near Sandbach, Cheshire.

Four coffins were taken into Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic church, Llandudno, on Monday night. It is understood Ellouise is being cremated with her father and Mason with his mother. Some family members stayed with the coffins and held a vigil in the church overnight.

Around 200 people packed inside the church for the service, conducted in both English and Welsh. A further 150 people stood outside the church and listened to the Mass on a loudspeaker.

Mr Statham's mother, Angela, and 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.

The service was led by the Bishop of Wrexham, Bishop Edwin Regan, and parish priest of Our Lady, Father Antony Jones.

A prayer was said for Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva, the HGV driver who has been charged with causing the deaths of the family.

Leading the prayers, Sister Jennifer McGlade told the mourners he too was suffering and asked them to pray for his peace of mind.

Earlier, de Silva appeared at Chester Crown Court charged with six counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He was remanded in custody to appear again on January 13.