Manchester police funerals: Call to line the streets

PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone died in a gun and grenade attack in Mottram

Residents have been asked to line the streets of Manchester for the funerals of two police officers shot last month.

PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone were shot as they responded to a call to a burglary in Mottram on 18 September.

The funeral of PC Hughes, 23, takes place at Manchester Cathedral on Wednesday at 13:00 BST. PC Bone's funeral is on Thursday.

The Police Federation has urged members of the public to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the police.

PC Hughes's funeral cortege will travel from Deansgate to the cathedral for the service at 13:00 BST.

Entry to the cathedral for the service is for family and friends of PC Hughes and officers and staff who have been invited.

The service will also be transmitted onto a screen in Cathedral Gardens for people gathering outside.

It will be followed by a private funeral.

'Dangerous job'

Police officers and members of the public wishing to show their support are being asked to line Deansgate by 11:45 BST.

The road will be closed to traffic from 11:00 BST as final preparations are made for the funeral.

The Police Federation has urged members of the public to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the police.

PCs Hughes and Bone were investigating reports of a burglary when they were shot

Ian Hanson from the federation said: "We do a difficult job, we do a dangerous job and people respect the job that is done and perhaps sometimes we lose sight of that, but what has happened in recent weeks is the support of the community has polarised and it has got behind Greater Manchester Police.

"What I would like to see over the next few days is that everybody come to the city centre and stand shoulder to shoulder."

The funeral of PC Bone will take place at the cathedral at 10:00 BST on Thursday.

The unarmed police constables had been sent to Abbey Gardens in Droylsden to investigate what appeared to be a routine burglary report when they were attacked with a gun and grenade.

Dale Cregan, 29, is in custody charged with the officers' murders, along with those of two other men.

'Great bobby'

The family of PC Hughes, who lived in Oldham with her mother, said she "died doing a job she loved".

She joined Greater Manchester Police in 2009, serving all three years with the Tameside division.

In tribute to her, her colleagues said: "She was a chatterbox and was always smiling, even after a night shift when everyone else was a bit grumpy.

"She was a good listener and couldn't do enough for people, she was a lovely friend and a great bobby."

Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy PCs Hughes and Bone "exemplified the very best of British policing".

The Police Federation has begun selling wristbands in honour of the officers, with all money raised to be donated to their families.