Chloe, 17, and Liam, 19, died during the Manchester Arena terror attack last month.

A joint public funeral service for the teenagers was held at St Hilda’s Church, South Shields, on Thursday, with Westoe Travel owner Graeme Brett reporting the church to have been “packed, with hundreds listening outside”.

The service was followed by a private family joint cremation at South Shields Crematorium.

A private event then followed at Hilton Gateshead, where friends of Chloe and Liam sang and photographs were shown.

Two white doves were released by the families.

During the evening, the Millennium Bridge over the River Tyne was illuminated pink and blue in Chloe and Liam’s honour.

Brett forwarded a message posted on Facebook by a South Shields resident to TTG.

It read: “I’ve just seen South Shields town centre come to a complete silent stand still as Chloe and Liam’s funeral procession came through our city centre.

“Bus drivers stopped their buses, got out and had hands on their hearts.

“The Number 18 bus driver started to sob and the other two drivers hugged him.

“School kids and nannas on the side of the street were holding out heart and peace signs.

“I think quite a lot of people don’t understand why I’m so proud to be from here [South Shields]. It’s not got a good shopping centre or a cosmopolitan nightlife.

“It’s the unwavering sense of community, the hope and the feeling of hurt when anyone from our borough falls, especially so young and under such horrific circumstances.”