'Beautiful inside and out'

HUNDREDS GATHER FOR FUNERAL OF MUM KILLED IN COLLISION

- Owen Younger

A WOMAN who died in a collision has been described by her closest family as "beautiful inside and out" and "an extraordinary mum", who is missed dearly by those close to her.

Hundreds of people arrived at Tynemouth Crematorium yesterday morning, to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of 39-year-old Claire Laybourne, who tragically died after a crash on the A19.

She left behind her partner Ben, children Faye and George, as well as her parents Heather and Richard, siblings and countless other family and friends, with an incredible turnout at the service.

Claire's family had asked people to turn up 'looking fabulous and wearing bright colours, as that's what she would have wanted.

As the procession made its way into the grounds, people stood solemnly as the song For The Love Of A Princess from the film Braveheart, which was chosen by mum Heather because Claire always used to play it on the keyboard growing up, played over the speaker system.

The service then started, with words from Allyson Hayter, who said: "We shouldn't be here today, and we offer our condolences to Claire's family and friends.