Mourners gather for Gypsy funeral in Darlington - County Durham

From the Northern Echo

MORE than 1,000 people attended a Gypsy funeral in a North-East town, causing headaches for motorists.

Police were on hand to marshal the mourners at the Light and Life Mission, in Parkgate, where members of the travelling community gathered to pay their respects.

Loudspeakers were set up outside the church to enable those who were left outside to hear the service.

The funeral party then moved to Darlington Crematorium, in Carmel Road North, and on to Blackwell Grange Hotel, for the wake.

Acting Inspector Simon Gdaniec, of Darlington police, said: “[The police involvement has been] predominantly around parking issues, because of the number of vehicles involved.

“About 1,000 people attended the funeral, with maybe about 300 vehicles between them.

“The funeral passed off without any great incident.”