In pictures - hundreds mourn PC Tom Clough at funeral in Redcar today

The officer died alongside his colleague, PC Matthew Blades when their marked police car was hit head-on by a VW going the wrong way up the A66 at South Bank at 3.30am on Saturday, August 22.

This afternoon (Wednesday, September 10) he was laid to rest at Kirkleatham Walled Gardens.

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

His coffin, draped in the Union Jack and surrounded by flowers, was carried down Plantation Road.

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Hundreds of officers paid respects to their fallen colleague, many wearing a patch bearing a the thin blue line and the officers’ names and collar numbers - PC 2443 Blades and PC 3234 Clough.

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Floral tributes surrounded the coffin as a convoy of black vehicles carrying relatives and close friends followed behind the hearse towards the private service.

Members of the public gathered along the route, some clutching flowers and others bowing their heads as the cortege passed.

Tom's family previously paid tribute to their 'hero' in the aftermath of the incident.

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

They said: “He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason.

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

“Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life.

“We as a family and Tom’s partner would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community.”

Lauren Somerville, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, paid tribute to PC Clough ahead of his funeral today (Thursday, September 10).

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

She said: “Tom’s family want to say thank you, the public support has been overwhelming for them and it has kept them going in these very dark times.

“Tom wasn’t just a Cleveland Police Officer, he was a partner and a brother and a son - but he was also a father to a sausage dog called Frank, who he loved so deeply.

“Tom used to say that there wouldn’t be anybody at his funeral, he couldn’t have been more wrong.

“Tom was so full of fun – he is described as giving everything to everybody.”

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Lauren added: “Tom was loved deeply by his colleagues; people have been contacting me who worked with Tom, years and years ago. He served in the military; he was in the Civil Nuclear Police, the British Transport Police and Cleveland Police.

“I would say that it would be an understatement to say that every single place he served was privileged to have him with them.

“He will be hugely missed.”

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

PC Tom Clough's funeral at Kirkleatham Walled Garden. (Image: STUART BOULTON)