THE funeral of a man who stabbed his police officer wife to death before slitting his own wrists has taken place in his home town.

Floral tributes sent to the Teesside Crematorium included one from Middlesbrough Football Club, the team Richard Mace supported all his life.

The 26-year-old, who met his Burnley-born wife Clare in the Army, was discovered dead in the upstairs room of the couple's house in Sefton Close, Clayton-le-Moors, by police on Christmas Eve. They found Clare, 23, in a downstairs room with stab wounds.

Middlesbrough's St Mary's Chapel, within the crematorium complex, was full for the service, many mourners having to stand during the service, with floral tributes lining the walls outside. One, from Middlesbrough FC, carried a card that simply read: "With deepest sympathy, from all at Middlesbrough Football Club. Goodnight, God bless."

The coffin containing the former Royal Signaller soldier was carried into the crematorium draped in a Union Jack flag.

Friends from his Army and school days joined his devastated parents, Richard and June, and brother Robert, who live in the Berwick Hills area of Middlesbrough.

Police believe Richard had used a kitchen knife to first stab his wife and then slit his wrists. Officers were called after receiving reports of a disturbance at the house.

Richard joined the Army at the age of 18, having previously been a DJ at the Bellingham Ice Rink.

The pair married in October 1998 and Clare, whose family lives in Burnley, joined the police force in 2001. She was stationed in Nelson and was described by the constabulary's bosses as 'committed' to her job.

A eulogy prepared by Richard's parents for the service ended: "What has happened in very recent times is so much out of character for Richard, something must have snapped in his mind, for if he was here today he would be shocked.

"The rest of us are in disbelief. This is a tragic ending to a wonderful life."

It is understood the couple, described as 'loving and doting' by Richard's parents, had split up a week before the horrific incident, which locals say has shaken the tight-knit community on the Sefton Farm estate.

Inquests into the deaths are due to take place in April.

A police guard of honour was due to attend the funeral of PC Mace in Burnley today.

Colleagues from Nelson police station were expected to be involved in the formal proceedings at the funeral in St Catherine's Church, in Todmorden Road.