Funeral for Ron and Diane Hughes takes place in Neston

Ron, 65, and Diane Hughes, 57 were visiting his daughter, Jane Manns, and her family in Australia when the tragedy happened on Monday, January 2.

The couple, who got married in August 2021, were visiting Australia for the first time since before the pandemic.

Their devastated family has described them as "loyal, fun-loving and generous".

Ron was the founder of the shop, Concept Interiors, which was founded in February 1992, located on Neston high street.

Many shops along the high street, including Hair Attitude and Vanessa Hair Designs & Beauty, closed their doors this afternoon to pay their respects to Ron and Diane.

Ron's shop in Neston (Image: Chloe Nightingale)

Before the funeral began, people dressed in black were seen in The Brown Horse Pub, Neston.

Guests were then greeted at the gates of St Mary’s & St Helens Church by family members before a service took place.

Around 200 people, including family members from Australia, gathered to say goodbye to the much-loved couple on a cold and sunny day in the town.

Members of the public stopped on the pavement to pay their respects when both hearses arrived at the church parked next to one another.

One passer-by said: "I can't believe this has happened."

Another added: "It's just heart-breaking, so, so heart-breaking."

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Ron's coffin was dressed in Evertonian blue and white flowers, with 'DAD' written next to it.

Ron's hearse had flowers which read 'DAD' (Image: Chloe Nightingale)

Diane's coffin was dressed in beautiful baby pink and white flowers.

The funeral was followed by a service at the Landican Cemetery and Crematorium at 4pm.