THE four simple white coffins, dressed with bouquets of Spring flowers, arrived in eerie silence.

Heads bowed, mourners struggled to contain their grief as the procession arrived today (Friday, April 4) for the funeral of four young brothers.

Joshua, Thomas, Callum and Daniel Young, aged seven, six, five and three, were killed by their father, Keith Young, last Thursday.

The 38-year-old farm labourer drove the boys from their home in Winsford, Cheshire, to a remote beauty spot in Llangollen, North Wales.

He then gassed himself and the boys by running a petrol lawnmower in the back of the family's 4X4 vehicle.

Today's funeral service at St John's Church in Winsford, Cheshire, was attended by close family and friends only.

Young, who was seeing the boys on an access visit, phoned his estranged wife Samantha to warn her of his plan.

Police in Cheshire and North Wales launched a manhunt but failed to find the car in time.

The boys' headteacher, Jill King, of Handley Hill school and nursery, was addressing the mourners by reading family and school memories of the brothers.

* The service for Keith Young, 38, from Winsford, was held at St Mary's church, Whitegate, Northwich, Cheshire. It is understood his body was cremated afterwards.