Family united at funeral of gun killer's twin

Gunman Derrick Bird's family were united in grief today as they said goodbye to the killer's twin brother, David.

More than 500 mourners gathered at the Victorian church of St Michael's amid the rolling fields of Lamplugh in west Cumbria for the popular mechanic's funeral.

David Bird, 52, was his brother's first victim in the shooting spree which stunned the nation two weeks ago.

Mr Bird, a father of three girls, was reportedly shot in his bed before his crazed brother went on to kill 11 other people and then himself in the tranquil hamlet of Boot.

Today, the killer's eldest son, Graeme, 28, and his wife, Victoria, joined their uncle David's daughters and estranged wife, Susan, in paying their last respects.

Mr Bird's children, Rachel, 28, Tracey, 26, and Katie, 19, penned a tribute, read to the congregation by the Rev Jim Marshall.

"Dad, where do we start?" they said.

"Not only were you one in a million, but more like one in a billion.

"No-one will ever know a character quite like you again.

"You were quirky, hilarious, cheeky and downright cute.

"You brought laughter everywhere you went and always put a smile on everyone's faces.

"You always showed us girls great affection like at Easter when you used to eat the back half of our Easter eggs and then wrap it back up so we'd never know."

The girls paid tribute to their father's keen sense of mischief, saying: "And only you could get away with asking every girl you knew if they had still been taking their ugly pills.

"You were our hero, dad.

"We always remember when you came to rescue us in the big snow, getting us home in the bucket of the digger.

"But you were mischievous as well, like when you would take us to Grandma Bird's on a Friday night and we would rally all the way through, doing handbrake turns.

"That was of course until that time you clipped that fence and we were told 'Now, don't be telling your mother'.

"With all these stories you will never die, dad.

"With new stories coming every day, in our hearts you will always stay.

"So 'Put kettle on father' - we'll see you soon.

"We can't put into words how much we love and miss you.

"Sleep tight, dad.

"Love, your girls."

Mr Bird "led a very full life, packing a great deal into those 52 years", said Mr Marshall.

An engine enthusiast, as a youngster he was an apprentice mechanic before working on police vehicles and then opening his own garage business.

He worked hard and eventually bought a plush farm cottage in Lamplugh, making money from the sale of its land for the development of four detached homes.

In the weeks after the murders, much was made about the apparent chasm between Mr Bird's wealth and that of his deranged taxi-driving brother who lived a few miles away in a pebble-dashed mid terrace.

The brothers' father, Joseph, gave David £25,000 in a will - with the sum meant to be made good between Derrick and their eldest brother Brian.

But it had not happened as the brothers' mother, Mary - too poorly to attend today - survived her husband and inherited his estate.

Reports suggested Bird, being investigated for apparent tax evasion, was embittered about his brother's wealth, though Mr Bird's daughters denied there was a family feud.

But today, Mr Bird was described as a man whose loss created a "huge gap" in his relatives' lives.

Mr Marshall told the congregation: "Friends, neighbours, workmates, partners, family are often there as a shoulder to cry upon, but their own suffering, their own hurt, their own inability to find the words, leaves that huge gap that is left - in this case David is no longer standing beside us - cap, pipe and Day-Glo jacket to the ready."

Mr Bird was described as a loving father.

The vicar said: "Susan tells of the times, the regular times, when she would have their beautiful little baby girls bathed and powdered and dressed in their baby-grows, all ready for bed.

"There they would be, waiting for a goodnight kiss and hug from Daddy.

"He would walk in from the workshop, spy the baby, pick her up and say goodnight - hands unwashed, leaving great, greasy hand marks around the baby's chest - just as he had picked her up.

"Susan says that she never had the heart to tell him off - she was just so pleased that he was being a loving dad."

He added: "David was so loved by his family, loved by all those who knew him - not because he was the lovey-dovey sort of dad, the cry-on-your-shoulder-friend, but because he was unique.

"He was able to lift people's spirits in an unusual and affectionate way; he was able to express his love in action and in his humour.

"And, yes, a legend, because only he could do those things and get away with it - be famous for it."

Today's funeral cortege was led by a yellow JCB digger bearing a registration plate with the grandfather-of-three's nickname - "Birdy".

Following closely behind was "Wobbly Tom", his "ancient" maroon Land Rover.

Behind that, a hearse conveying his body to the church was full of flowers.

In yellow chrysanthemums his daughters and wife had spelt out his nickname and wrote: "We will always love you and miss you.

"You were the best husband, dad and granda there ever was.

"Sleep well.

"Love from Sue, Rachel, Tracey, Katie and family."

The daughters also provided another tribute spelling out "Dad" in lilac chrysanthemums with white roses.

"To Dad. You are our hero," they said.

Mr Bird's other brother, Brian, and mother, Mary, also placed a tribute inside the hearse, comprised of yellow and white carnations, red and white roses and lilies.

"From Mam, Brian and Sue. Rest in peace. Our love for you will never die."

Though details have not yet been released, Derrick Bird's funeral will be held on Friday.

The family wanted to hold it last as a mark of respect to Bird's victims.