HUNDREDS of mourners have paid their last respects to the mother and son shot dead by a former Swindon financial advisor.

Yesterday family and friends gathered at Douai Abbey Church, near Newbury, for the funerals of Julia and William Pemberton who were murdered by former Allied Dunbar worker Allan Pemberton, last month.

The service was followed by burial at Whitworth Road cemetery in Swindon.

The 48-year-old is said to have killed Mrs Pemberton, 47, and her 17-year-old son with a shotgun before turning the gun on himself in the village of Hermitage, Berkshire, last month.

The couple's daughter Laura, 19, who escaped the shooting because she was away at Cambridge University, is the sole survivor.

Her grandmother is currently caring her for in Swindon.

At the mass, preacher Father Paul Townsend called for people also to pray for Mr Pemberton.

The Parish Priest of St Francis de Sales, Wash Common, where Mrs Pemberton and William were both active members, said: "The past two weeks have brought pain and darkness to many. And all these memories will deepen our sadness and make difficult questions rise in our hearts.

"Is all this wasted? What of Will's potential as an artist and man? What of Julia and her many gifts? And indeed what of Allan?

"In this place, as we celebrate this funeral, we must find room in our hearts for hope.

"We must look for a ray of light in the darkness. The darkness that is very much the experience of Laura, her grandmother and family today.

"I know that everyone here would want me to assure her of our prayer, affection and support at this difficult time."

Friends had brought items to remember the pair, which were taken in procession to the altar a guitar, a football and a Grease songbook for William and a candle for his mother.

Father Townsend said that William was a keen sportsman, a sensitive and gentle person and good musician.

Mrs Pemberton was remembered as gentle, strong and kind. She had recently recovered from cancer.

Her family has said that after she had recovered from her treatment she had wanted a divorce.

The couple, who were married at Holy Rood Church in Swindon in 1980 and lived for some time in Castle Eaton, had split up and put their £1m self-built and designed house up for sale.

Police said that a total of 14 shots were fired, meaning the shotgun had been reloaded seven times. They also revealed that Mrs Pemberton had an injunction out against her estranged husband.

Mr Pemberton's funeral is to be held today at East Hampton Crematorium in Crowthorne, Berkshire.