Funeral For Shark Attack Honeymooner

The widow of honeymoon shark attack victim Ian Redmond has joined hundreds of mourners at the funeral of her husband in Lancashire.

Primary school teacher Gemma Redmond, 27, followed his coffin into her family's local church.

A lone bagpipe player led the procession inside as Mrs Redmond followed behind, clasped tightly by her parents David and Coleta Houghton.

Mr Redmond's parents, Stephen and Corinne, and his brother Paul brought up the rear.

The venue - St Michael and All Angels Church in the west Lancashire village of Dalton - was the same setting as their wedding earlier this month.

Just 10 days after the ceremony, while on honeymoon in the Seychelles, the IT specialist, 30, was savaged by a shark as he swam in the waters off Anse Lazio beach on Praslin, the second largest island in the archipelago.

It is thought Mr Redmond, formerly from Nelson, Lancashire, simply lost too much blood due to the massive injuries suffered in the attack on August 16.

Mrs Redmond was shaking as she went into the church but composed herself to give a lengthy, heartfelt tribute to her ``darling husband Ian'' - ``my soul mate and best friend''.

She recalled her wedding day, which was ``quite simply the most wonderful day of my life'', and then remembered their honeymoon.

``We were having such a happy time,'' she said. ``It was a lovely adventure and we were enjoying experiencing new things.''