APPLAUSE echoed throughout St Bartholomew's Church in Wootton Bassett as family and friends of Bob and Deb Fry gathered to pay tribute to the couple.

Mourners crammed in to the parish church leaving barely enough room to stand.

It has been just over a fortnight since the Frys drowned in the Algarve while trying to rescue their children from the strong coastal currents of Praia do Tonel.

Friend and neighbour Jean Dinsmore also perished and her body was returned to her native Herefordshire where she was cremated on Monday.

Many of the same friends that had paid their respects in the quiet town of Eardisley that day were also present at today's service.

Speaking at the Frys' memorial service the Rev Thomas Woodhouse said it was an act of selfless love that brought mourners together today.

Friend Tom Maidment paid tribute to the couple saying that for their children Rosie, 11 and George nine they were the best parents in the world.

He said: "Looking around our packed church today I think I can say that there is not a solitary soul that wouldn't agree with that."

Family and close friends had gathered at Kingsdown Crematorium in Swindon early today for a private cremation.

The family chose not to ask mourners for flowers but to instead collect donations towards Bob's youth football team the Brinkworth Cats and Gloucester-based child bereavement charity Winston's Wish.