30184/2THE family of a couple found dead at their Melksham home joined a ceremony to unveil two benches in their memory at the weekend.

Former policeman Milroy Clarke and his wife Joan died at their home in Berryfield Park in December, leaving the community in mourning.

Sarah Leyfield and Andrew Clarke, 70-year-old Mr Clarke's children from a previous marriage, were at a ceremony on Saturday to unveil the benches at Melksham House.

The couple's grandchildren also joined in the ceremony.

University student Michael Clarke, the son of Roy and Joan, is remanded in custody charged with their murder.

His stepsister Mrs Leyfield spoke on behalf of Michael as she described the family's gratitude for the kindness shown by the community.

Mrs Leyfield, 38, said: "I want to thank everyone who made the donations for dad and Joan for all their support and for those who attended on the day and on behalf of Andrew and Michael and myself, I would like to make a special thanks to the lady mayoress."

Melksham mayor Terri Welch, who gave a speech at the unveiling, said: "The place where the benches have been put is against a wall, where they get the sun for the majority of the time.

"The benches are together with a bush in between them, which we thought was quite appropriate, and they will be well used because it's such a sun-trap during the day that people will go and have their lunch there."

The benches were jointly funded by Somerfield, where Mr Clarke worked as a security guard, and the Melksham Line Dancing Club, of which Mrs Clarke was a member.

Close friend Maureen Phillips and line dancing instructor Sandra Scuss unveiled one of the benches while the other was unveiled by Mr Clarke's children, Sarah and Andrew.

Mrs Phillips said: "We have got something there to remember them by and people can go and sit on the seats if they want to have a nice, quiet moment.

"A lot of the line dancers have been hit very hard by it and are finding it very difficult to cope with but I suppose it will get easier."

She said Andrew Clarke was planning to visit his stepbrother Michael in prison to tell him about the event.

Michael Clarke is due to appear at Bristol Crown Court on February 25 for a plea and directions hearing.