Hundreds of people have gathered to honour the life of blinded Pc David Rathband at a cathedral service today.
Shoppers and well-wishers stood silently as the cortege carrying the brave policeman's coffin drew up outside St Nicholas' Cathedral in Newcastle at noon.
Mourners at the emotional service included Policing Minister Nick Herbert, actor Tim Healy and Northumbria Police chief constable Sue Sim
Pc Rathband's wife Kath, who he had separated from, did not attend the service.
However, she will be at the funeral in his native Stafford next Saturday.
Pc Rathband's twin brother Darren arrived in the hearse and got out and watched as the pall-bearers from each of the three emergency services brought out the coffin and carried it the short distance into the church.
Orange flowers down the side of the vehicle spelt out Pc Rathband's call sign - Tango 190.
Darren was joined by Pc Rathband's children Mia, 13, and Ashley, 19, in front of the cathedral door.
He gave them words of comfort before they followed the coffin inside, which was carried by six pallbearers from the police, fire and ambulance service.
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