The families of Hanham crash victims Ross and Clare Simons ask for colourful funeral

THE families of tragic couple Ross and Clare Simons have asked people to wear bright colours to their funeral to reflect their characters.

Married Ross, 34, and Clare, 30, died on January 27 as they rode their tandem bike along Lower Hanham Road and were in collision with a Citroen car.

Clare and Ross Simons on their wedding day

They had desperately wanted children and had recently been given the go-ahead to start IVF treatment.

Their funeral will take place on Friday of next week at Westerleigh Crematorium, from 11am.

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In a new joint statement, their families said: "We ask all who attend not to bring flowers as they will only be disposed of after a short time. Instead, we would appreciate donations that will be collected on the day, which will be forwarded to a Bristol IVF charity in the hope that it will give some other couple the chance of having a child.

"Both families are sure this is what Ross and Clare would have wanted. Also, could anyone who attends make sure they wear bright colours, and no black.

"This is because Ross and Clare were both colourful and bright people. Ross and Clare have left a huge hole in the lives of everyone who knew them.

"Both families are completely devastated at our loss and kindly request that we are left alone in order to grieve with friends and family.

"The police have been fantastic and have worked really hard, as have all the staff at Alderwick funeral directors, who have been amazing," they added.

"We would also like to thank the people who were with Ross and Clare in their final moments. It gives us great comfort knowing they were not alone.

"But, mostly we would like to thank our friends and families for all their support as this has been what has pulled us through this last week, and will continue to do so."

Nicholas Lovell, 38, of Oldland Common, has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, without insurance and failing to stop at an accident.