THE family of murdered naturalist David Green forgave his killers at his woodland burial on Monday.

More than 100 friends and loved ones gathered at Mr Green's graveside, in quiet countryside on the edge of Darlington.

The ceremony paid tribute to an unassuming man, who embraced nature's beauty and used his talents to capture it on paper.

The respected illustrator and conservationist, of Darlington, was shot dead in India last month in what is believed to have been a failed robbery.

The Foreign Office confirmed on Monday that three people had been arrested in connection to the killing.

Mr Green's sister-in-law, Anne, spoke on behalf of the family at the funeral, wishing inner peace to whoever was responsible for his death.

She said: "The family hold no resentment against the person who shot David."

Mr Green's reed coffin, decorated in painted butterflies and fresh leaves, was buried in the new community woodland, near Skerningham Manor, where he would often walk.

Six native black poplar trees were planted in a circle around him and a seventh directly over his grave.

The chilly wind and drizzling rain did not lessen the emotions, as poignant memories were recalled within the circle around the coffin.

The Rev David Bryan talked of Mr Green's respect for all wildlife, the deep sense of empathy he conveyed in his illustrations with the things he was drawing and his love of India.

Mr Bryan said: "I feel a little baffled and angry that someone so gentle as David should have his life ended by violence. There is something so meaningless and arbitrary about this."

In a break from people's heartfelt words Mr Green's niece, Siobhan Green, knelt by his graveside and, playing on her guitar, sang John Lennon's Imagine.

While some people sang along, others reflected on the lyrics and their tears showed a united sadness for the loss of man, who in his mother Edna's words would not have hurt a fly.

Conservationist Dr David Bellamy, of Bedburn, near Hamsterley, praised Mr Green as one of the best illustrators of animals.

Fighting back tears he said: "I just want to make one plea - David please send down a picture of an angel, because you will know what they look like."

His mother said: "It was such a wonderful service, it was what he would have wanted because that's the kind of person he is."