Funeral of children murdered as they slept takes place

The funeral of four children killed in an arson attack is taking place this morning.

Mourners have lined the street to pay their respects to Demi Pearson, 15, and her younger siblings Brandon, eight, Lacie, seven, and three-year-old Lia at the service at St Paul's Church in Walkden, Greater Manchester.

All four youngsters died in a fire at their home on Jackson Street, Walkden, on December 11 last year.

Hundreds of people attended, and the children's family have confirmed there will be speakers outside the church for anyone unable to fit inside.

Horse-drawn carriages carried their specially-made coffins in a procession from their home on Jackson Street at 10am.

Family and friends walked behind as it made its way to the church via Bridgewater Primary School – where Lacie and Brandon were pupils – for a one minute silence.

From there, it headed along Manchester Road East to the church.

The children's mother, Michelle Pearson, was due to attend the service but is too ill.

Ben Levy, the area commander for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service - who was in charge of the firefighting operation on the night of the arson attack - is among those in attendance.

Zak Bolland, 23, and David Worrall, 25, were both given four life sentences in May after being found guilty of four counts of murder at Manchester Crown Court.

Bolland's girlfriend Courtney Brierley, 20, was found guilty of four counts of manslaughter and was sentenced to 21 years in a young offenders’ institution.