THE family of the North-East schoolgirl found stabbed to death in her bedroom gathered to pay their last respects at her funeral yesterday.

Twelve-year-old Natalie Ruddick was found in the family home in Frosterley Place, New Mills, Newcastle, on March 5. She was feeling unwell and had stayed off school.

Her sister, Emma, 15, closely followed by another sister, Claire, 16, found her body.

Her mother, Dawn, was shopping and her father, Michael, and brother, Steven, were on a trip to Doncaster.

Natalie's brothers and sisters - including Michael, 20, twins Emma and Steven, 15, Claire 16, and twins Christopher and Zoe, six - are all being supported by the extended family.

The service, at the Church of St Matthew with Saint Mary the Virgin, was conducted by the Reverend Andrew Bowden, the chaplain of All Saints' College, and Father Richard Deadman, the vicar of the parish.

The family chose songs and readings which celebrated Natalie's life.

In the address to mourners it was said: "Nothing that we can say or do can take away from the shock, pain and grief that people will be feeling as they come here today.

"However, in the midst of our sadness, we come to pay tribute to Natalie's short life and, for those of us who are Christians, to commend her to God's eternal love beyond the cruelty of this world."

Ronnie Pattinson, 18, of Belsay Place, Arthurs Hill, Newcastle, has been remanded in custody charged with Natalie's murder.