Colourful funeral for cycle couple

Hundreds of people have attended a joint funeral held for a "perfect couple" killed in an alleged hit-and-run as they rode a tandem.

Ross and Clare Simons, who were described by friends as "two peas in a pod", were hoping to start a family and had just been given the go-ahead to begin IVF treatment.

Less than 24 hours after celebrating the news, Mr Simons, 34, and his 30-year-old wife died when their bicycle was hit by a Citroen Picasso car in Hanham, near Bristol, on January 27.

The two coffins, adorned with white flowers, were laid side by side in a hearse as it entered Westerleigh Crematorium in South Gloucestershire.

Family and friends, who were asked to wear bright colours to reflect the couple's characters, fell silent as they caught sight of the hearse.

Family members hugged each other in support as they wiped tears from their cheeks, following the wooden coffins into the crematorium.

They had asked those who attended the funeral not to bring flowers but to donate money to a Bristol IVF charity in the hope that it will give another couple the chance of having a child.

In a statement they said: "Both families are sure this is what Ross and Clare would have wanted. Also, could anyone who attends make sure they wear bright colours, and no black.

"This is because Ross and Clare were both colourful and bright people.

"Ross and Clare have left a huge hole in the lives of everyone who knew them."