Widow's final farewell to 'soulmate' at first funeral of Cumbria killings

Hundreds of mourners today gathered at the first funeral for a victim of the Cumbria shootings.

Garry Purdham was killed by gunman Derrick Bird while working in the fields at his father's farm near Gosforth.

His widow Ros led the tributes, describing the 31 year old as her "soulmate" to whom it was an "honour and a privilege" to be married.

At the church of St Mary in Gosforth she told more than 200 mourners that their son Cameron, eight, was the "spitting image of his Daddy and blessed with the same calm temperament".

Mrs Purdham, who also has a two-year-old son Flynn, said: "Garry was my best friend. He was kind, loyal and generous I am so lucky that out of all the people in the world he chose me. I promise to bring the boys up in the best way I can and to make sure they will never, ever forget you. I love you forever."

Mr Purdham's parents, Jack and Bridget, his sister Becky and brother Rob, a Harlequins rugby player, were also among the mourners, who were asked to wear bright colours. Mr Purdham was the ninth of 12 people Bird shot dead last Wednesday.