A GROUP of friends who set off see Princess Diana's funeral on Saturday failed to make it when their minibus broke down after just 70 miles.

The seven-strong group of mourners were packed and ready to sleep on the streets of London when their hired coach packed in as they neared Cheshire on Friday night (Sept 5).

Despite twice trying to get back on the road the disappointed group, all neighbours from Mark Close in Penwortham, were forced to call for help.

But when the AA arrived they couldn't fix the bus either. They offered to take them to London but their nearest minibus was in Scotland. If they had waited they would have missed Saturday's funeral procession so regretfully the weary friends decided to return home.

Distraught Donna Whittle said: "We were devastated because we all wanted to pay our last respects. Diana was an exceptional, loving person and we just felt we had to go."

Mum of four Mrs Whittle said residents - who every year hold a fund-raising event for a different cause - felt a close affinity with the Princess after she wrote them letters praising their charity efforts.

And Mrs Whittle, who watched the funeral on television, said it wasn't the end of their tributes.

She said: "We still feel we have to go to London: "I want to go and see where she lived and married." Neighbour Kim Holton said: "We would have loved to be part of the whole atmosphere."

Minibus firm, Kirkhams, refunded their money and offered them a free coach to go to London again in the near future.

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