Tears and flowers as the three little victims of Bridlington fire are laid to rest

William Beal, nine, Anthony Hudson, also known as "AJ", five, and three-year-old Maddie Hudson, were killed when a ferocious blaze tore through their home in Clarence Avenue, Bridlington, on November 11.

Their mother, Samantha Hudson, 27, was seriously hurt and remains under sedation in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

The mourners were instead led by family and friends, including the children's weeping grandmothers Sharon Hudson and Angela Beal.

They walked in silence along the snow-covered streets of the resort and watched as the small coffins – light blue for the boys and light pink for Maddie – were carried into Emmanuel Parish Church, less than half-a-mile from the scene of the tragedy,

Each had a small white circle of flowers placed on top accompanied by a single white rose.

About 200 people filed into church to hear a service led by the Rev Chris McCarthy.

Among the mourners was neighbour Lesley Salisbury, 59, a trained nurse who, on the night of the fire, had run into the street in her dressing gown and fought in vain alongside the emergency services to resuscitate the children after they were carried from the building by firefighters "like little rag dolls".

Ms Salisbury had placed a small posy of flowers in one of the three hearses, which bore a simple message that only hinted at her desparate battle to save the children: "I held your hands, but you couldn't stay".

William's hearse carried a bunch of white flowers encircling a blue 'W', and an anonymous dedication which said: "To our precious boy William, our hearts go with you, RIP".

A yellow bunch of flowers from the school all three children attended was accompanied by the words: "Lots of love from all your friends at Hilderthorpe School".

Another bouquet was from the crews at Bridlington Fire Station, who were on the scene within five minutes of the first 999 call from a neighbour who spotted flames leaping from the living room of the three-storey property.

Mr McCarthy gave a heart-rending eulogy to each child.

He said: William loved dinosaurs and insects and was always bringing bugs into the house from the garden, and that brought him great delight.

"AJ was a loving child and loved to give lots of cuddles. He was always

smiling and always laughing. He loved cars and looked forward to growing up so he would be able to learn to drive.

"One day AJ saw a lady in a Porsche and said 'nice car missus'. To his delight she let him sit in the front seat and that made his day."

He said Maddie "was a bundle of energy, she loved to dance, she liked to talk, she would start talking the moment she got out of bed and didn't stop until she fell asleep. She liked to be in the limelight.

"All three loved the beach and the sea. William, AJ and Maddie will be missed for many, many years to come but the family know they will never ever leave their hearts."

He added: "We don't know why this has happened but we can be assured they are safe now.

"We know children get the most out of every day. They are very inquisitive, they like to play, they like to learn.

"William, AJ and Maddie showed in their lives simple trust and genuine love for those around them."

Snow began to fall as the cortege left for a private interment at Bridlington Cemetery.

Inquiries to establish the cause of the fire continue although police said it appeared to have been a tragic accident that took began in a downstairs living room, trapping the family upstairs.

Neighbours and well-wishers raised 2,000 towards the funeral.