TWO devoted twins, "each with their own personality and beauty", were badly beaten and their bodies stripped naked as Mark Hobson began his killing spree which saw four people murdered.

At their funeral last August, the parents of Claire and Diane Sanderson led about 250 friends and family who gathered in the picturesque village of East Cowick in East Yorkshire, where the girls grew up, to pay their final respects.

George and Jacqueline Sanderson said: "Words cannot express how we feel about the sudden and unexplained deaths of our two beautiful daughters, Claire and Diane."

The funeral procession of seven cars left the centre of the village, where Diane lived with her parents, and moved slowly past the primary school they both attended as children.

Their tearful parents George, 56, and his 54-year-old wife, Jacqueline, walked arm-in-arm to the 150-year-old Holy Trinity Church for the service.

As the mourners entered the church, Dolly Parton's song I Will Always Love You was played.

The archdeacon of Doncaster, the Ven Robert Fitzharris, explained that a CD of the song had been given to Mr Sanderson by Diane as a present.

"We have gathered to give thanks and celebrate the earthly lives of Claire and Diane Sanderson. To celebrate their 27 years on this earth. To say and acknowledge their wicked and untimely taking leaves a hole that no words can ever fill, nor should they," he said.

He described the twins as beautiful girls.

"Each with their own personality and beauty, two devoted sisters always there for each other. Girls still remembered fondly by staff where they attended the church school next door."

The archdeacon said the twins were talented athletes who excelled at cross-country and 800m events.

As the coffins were taken from the church, Ronan Keating's If Tomorrow Never Comes was played. Speaking after the service, Mr Fitzharris said: "To lose two children to murder is unimaginable and they (the twins' parents) will need time to live together, cry together and hug together and let the whole healing process begin organically."

Outside the church dozens of bouquets and tributes were on display.

One tribute from Diane's boyfriend Ian read: "Diane, my brown-eyed girl. Miss you more than anyone can imagine. Love you. See you every night. Love Ian."

Another read: "Claire, you will always be beautiful and I'll love and miss you forever. Sleep tight - Monica."

Updated: 13:56 Tuesday, April 19, 2005