THE father of tragic PC Clare Mace said an emotional farewell to his daughter as family, friends and colleagues gathered for her funeral.

In a message accompanying a moving floral tribute the young police officer's dad wrote: "To Clare, you will never be forgotten. Love you always in my dreams. Your loving dad xx."

The poignant words were just one of the tributes paid to the 23-year-old officer as hundreds gathered at St Catherine's Church in Burnley for the funeral.

Other tributes included a floral wreath of the word 'Sister' and another of the number 114, Clare's collar number, along with the words "In loving memory of Clare from your friends at Nelson Police Station."

Another read: "In remembrance of colleague and friend Clare from intake 10/01."

Tearful colleagues in dress uniform formed a guard of honour for the funeral at the church in Todmorden Road yesterday.

Her parents, Sue and Tony Brierton, from Burnley, were joined by scores of family members and friends as well as Clare's boss from Nelson, Inspector Paul Robinson and Pennine Divisional Commander, Chief Supt John Knowles.

The busy road was closed to traffic as the funeral cortege pulled up outside the church at noon and the coffin, draped in a dark blue Lancashire Constabulary flag, carried in.

The church service, which lasted for half-an-hour, was followed by a private family ceremony at Burnley Crematorium.

Clare's body was found at her home in Sefton Close, Clayton-le-Moors on Christmas Eve, along with the body of her husband Richard, 26.

Officers believe Richard stabbed Clare to death before slashing his own wrists. His funeral was held in his home town of Middlesborough on Tuesday.

The tragedy happened just a week after the couple separated after five years of marriage.

The couple met while serving in the army and Clare, a former Towneley High School pupil, joined the police in 2001.

She had recently completed her probationary period and was serving as one of a team of response officers based in Nelson.