Hundreds of police officers and members of the public lined the streets of Hartlepool to pay their respects to a policeman killed in a collision that claimed seven lives.

A full ceremonial police funeral for PC Matthew Blades was held at St Joseph’s Church, in Hutton Avenue, on Wednesday morning.

Cleveland Police officers of all ranks, including Chief Constable Victoria Fuller, all turned out to pay their respects to their colleague.

PC Blades, 37, and Cleveland Police colleague PC Tom Clough, 38, died when their vehicle was hit by a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong direction along the A66, near Middlesbrough, in the early hours of August 22.

Pall bearers carry the coffin of PC Blades (inset) into St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. Photo: PA

placeholder image — Pall bearers carry the coffin of PC Blades (inset) into St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. Photo: PA

The five male occupants of the Volkswagen also died in the collision.

Uniformed officers embraced each other outside the church and some wore patches with PCs Blades’ and Clough’s collar numbers on.

A band of pipers played Amazing Grace as the funeral cortege slowly made its way down Hutton Avenue.

As it passed, dozens of police force standards from all over the country were lowered.

The cortege moves down Hutton Avenue to the church as standards from police forces around the country are lowered. Photo: PA

PC Blades’ coffin was draped in the Union Flag and the hearse carried flowers spelling ‘Dad’.

Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash and Tees Valley Mayor, Lord Ben Houchen, were among the mourners. Numerous ambulance staff also attended.

A dad-of-two, PC Blades was also a respected football coach in his spare time with FC Hartlepool and Seaton Carew FC.

Outside church, Zara Lavender, 30, from Hartlepool, said: “I have come here to pay my respects to the officer, I thought it was important that people came out to show that.”

Hundreds of officers attended the service at St Joseph's Church in Hartlepool.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, meanwhile, paid tribute in the House of Commons on Wednesday, saying: “I also want to send our sympathies to the hundreds of people who will gather today at the funeral of PC Matthew Blades, including many serving police officers, and we send our thanks to them all for their service and their work to keep our communities safe.”

Ahead of the service, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle added: “Today we remember in prayer Pc Matthew Blades, who gave his life in service to others.

“We pray for his family, colleagues and all those affected by these tragic events, and ask for the Lord’s comfort, strength and guidance at this time.”