15118THE son of Roy and Joan Clarke, who has been charged with the couple's murder, said in a tribute read out at their funeral that he owes them everything and will miss them deeply.

The Rev Derek Smith, vicar of St Michael's Church in Melksham, read out the message from 20-year-old Michael Clarke, who has been remanded in custody since his arrest five weeks ago. He was not at Friday's service.

In the tribute Clarke said life was pointless without his parents, whom, he said, had lavished care and affection on him all his life.

He said that he would always remember them.

Clarke expressed his gratitude for the way his parents had welcomed his girlfriend, Faye Bevan, into their home and said he had hoped their relationship would grow.

He concluded: "I love you, Mum and Dad."

The funeral at the West Wiltshire Crematorium in Semington on Friday morning was attended by more than 300 family and friends.

There was barely space for the mourners in the chapel and they spilled out into the hallway and stood five deep around the room.

Mr Smith also read out eulogies from Mr Clarke's two children by his second marriage, Sarah Leyfield and Andrew Clarke.

In her message, Mrs Leyfield referred to the 40-year relationship between Roy and Joan Clarke, which began almost at the same time that Mr Clarke married his second wife, Liz, in 1965.

She said: "People may be shocked to know that their relationship goes back so far.

"In 1993 we were told there was going to be a divorce and in 1995 Roy married Joan."

Andrew Clarke was lavish in his praise of Mr and Mrs Clarke.

In separate messages to each, he thanked his father for all he had taught him about life, and Joan for making his father so happy.

There were also messages from members of the Melksham community.

Mr Smith told the congregation that Mr Clarke's colleagues at Somerfield supermarket in Melksham and members of Melksham Line Dancing Club, where Mr and Mrs Clarke spent much of their time, had collected enough money to buy benches in their memories at Melksham House, the home of the Cooper Avon Sports and Social Club.

Among the mourners were representatives of Wiltshire police, with whom Mr Clarke served as a police constable until 1988, when he retired and became a parking attendant for Kennet District Council.

There were also senior officers of the district council at the ceremony.

The congregation sang The Lord is My Shepherd and Amazing Grace and several of Mr and Mrs Clarke's favourite songs were played. The funeral service ended with the playing of Elton John's Goodbye Norma Jean.

Before the committal ceremony, Mr Smith said: "Saying goodbye to a loved one is always difficult, but how much more when it is so untimely and violent."

The mourners were invited to join the family at a reception at The Somerset Arms in Semington.

After the service Mrs Leyfield expressed her gratitude to everyone who came.

She said: "It was a lovely day on which to send them off. We were amazed by the number of people who turned up."

Mrs Leyfield was particularly grateful to the staff at Somerfield and members of the line dancing club who had put the money together for the benches.

She said: "The family may also plan some kind of memorial, but we cannot do anything while Michael is being held in custody."

Mr and Mrs Clarke were found stabbed to death at their home in Berryfield Park, Melksham, in the early hours of December 7.

An investigation by Wiltshire police has failed to find the murder weapon, thought to be a knife.

Michael Clarke, 20, a former pupil of George Ward School, appeared at Bristol Crown Court for a preliminary appearance on December 21 and was remanded in custody until February 25.