THE families of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman have paid their private farewells to the murdered girls at separate services in St Andrew's parish church, Soham.

Holly was laid to rest yesterday at a family funeral and Jessica was cremated on Monday after a service in the same church - the day after she should have celebrated her 11th birthday.

Both services were conducted by the Rev Tim Alban Jones, parish priest of St Andrew's, who has been a constant comfort to both families since the girls went missing on August 4.

''Holly was buried this morning and a service for Jessica was held yesterday,'' Mr Alban Jones said. ''They were private ceremonies for family and close friends only.''

St Andrew's was crowded by people from Soham for Holly's funeral. The police had lined the route and stood to attention as the cortege passed by.

There were flowers from close members of the family and one from David Beckham.

The media has respected the families' wishes by staying away from the services. However, both sets of parents fulfilled a promise to let it be known - through Mr Alban Jones - that the funeral services had taken place.