Thousands expected to turn out for murdered PC Nicola Hughes' funeral as Manchester mourns fallen hero

'FALLEN ANGEL': City mourns PC's funeral

By Dean Wilkins

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of Manchester for the funeral of murdered PC Nicola Hughes today.

The 23-year-old was shot dead on duty with her partner PC Fiona Bone in Mottram, Hyde, on Septemer 18 after being dispatched to a ‘routine’ burglary.

The shocking deaths – the first time in British history two female officers were gunned down – touched the nation and received messages of condolences from the Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable, Prime Minister and the Queen.

The Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of Manchester, said: “Nicola’s service will be broadcast on the screen next the Cathedral’s gardens and people are warmly invited to attend the ceremony there.”

GMP’s Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy described the fallen officers as ‘two wonderful human beings, two very dedicated officers’.

Miss Hughes lived with her mother Susan at their home in Oldham – she leaves behind her father Bryn and younger brother, Sam.

She signed up to the police in 2009 to make a difference in Manchester and was doing a job she loved and was happy with her life, her family said.

The funeral takes place at Manchester Cathedral at 1pm today and is by invitation only, but her coffin will travel through the city centre and Deansgate will be completely closed as thousands will turn out to pay their respects.

The funeral of Miss Bone will take place at 10am tomorrow at the Cathedral.

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