Community turns out to honour tragic Kirkwhelpington father and daughter

Other tributes to 17-year-old Victoria came from her former headteacher at Ponteland high School, Stephen Prandle.

He said: "One teacher said every time she came into my room she lit the place up. If she wasn't there it was admittedly quieter but a whole lot duller; the smile was never far away - she was a star." And Angela Harwood, chief legal officer, Cumbria County Council, paid tribute to Mr Wilkinson, 52, a solicitor with the authority.

She said: "There are no words that can take away the loss for Catherine and the children but they can know that their husband and father was not only a hero to them but to the children he has protected and helped during his career with the local authority."

The service was introduced by Canon Graham Usher, Rector of Hexham, and led by Rev Dagmar Winter, priest-in-charge of Kirkwhelpington.

Hymns at the service included Lord of all Hopefulness, Morning has Broken, Dear Lord and Father of Mankind.

Addressing the congregation, Rev Winter said: "As Geoffrey and Victoria were part of our lives, we are keenly aware today of the slenderness of the thread which separates life from death.

"We are aware and confused and anxious and angry and sad. And we have pulled together, and we care and support one another today and in the days to come.

"In this church we acknowledge today: death is strong but God is stronger. Because God is love.

"And the one thing that shines through as the most important thing in Geoffrey's and Victoria's life is their love - never mind their huge talents and gifts, their successes and achievements, never mind even those irritations that accompany any human life.

"Love is the key and love finds a way and divine love finds a way magnificently.

"The final word for the Christian faith is not tragedy but new life."