Thousands Pay Respects To Brothers Killed On M6

More than 2,000 people have paid their respects at the funeral of two young brothers who died in a Christmas Day crash on the M6.

Adnan Habib, 10, and Arsalaan, four, were killed when the car they were in crashed near junction 15 on Tuesday.

The brothers, described by their family as "precious jewels", died alongside their 32-year-old aunt, Bushra Tazarib.

Their funeral took place at a mosque in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Hundreds spilled out into the street from the packed mosque and said prayers in pouring rain.

British boxing star Amir Khan was among those present.

He tweeted: "In Wycombe for the funeral of 2 young kids + aunty who died in a car crash on way to a cousins wedding last week. Condolences to the family."

Khan was at the same wedding the three crash victims were travelling to and has described how the occasion turned from joyous to "despair" as news of the tragic accident spread.

Coaches and taxis arrived with mourners from the north of the country, including Manchester, and crowds watched as the coffins, covered in embroidered drapes, were carried inside.

Floral tributes were also brought, which read "Adnan", "Arsalaan" and "sister".

A private burial took place this afternoon for the two boys. Their aunt's body is to be transported to Pakistan, police said.

An inquest into the three deaths has been opened and adjourned by North Staffordshire Coroner Ian Smith.

Two other women were travelling in the car, including the boys' mother who was driving at the time of the crash, and were taken to hospital but discharged after treatment.

All five in the car were from High Wycombe and had been travelling north on the M6 to attend a family wedding in Greater Manchester.

The incident closed the motorway in both directions for three hours from junction 14 at Stafford to junction 15 at Stoke.

The Central Motorway Police Group is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash, which is not believed to have involved any other vehicles.