Funeral Held For Tunisia Victims From Cumbernauld

One of the first funerals for Britons killed in the Tunisian beach massacre will take place today.

Scots couple Jim and Ann McQuire, from Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, were among 38 people killed by a gunman in the holiday resort of Sousse on Friday June 26. Thirty of the victims were British.

Family and friends will have the chance to say their final farewells to the kind and gentle'' couple at a service at Abronhill church in their home town this afternoon.

They had been active members of the church, where Mrs McQuire, 64, sang and played guitar and Mr McQuire, 67, was captain of the 5th Cumbernauld Boys' Brigade (BB) company for many years.

The church has previously held prayer gatherings to help the local community come to terms with the loss.

Speaking ahead of the service, Rev Joyce Keyes said: The church has been inundated with messages and expressions of support in the form of flowers, cards, emails, prayers and words of comfort both for the McQuire family and for the church community.

Many people have been touched by the tragic deaths of people enjoying their holiday, even more so when they include folks you know - people from your own community.''

Paying tribute to the couple previously, the Church of Scotland minister said: Ann and Jim were a kind and gentle couple who will be sorely missed by our congregation; for their willingness to share their musical talents, for their contributions to the Boys' Brigade and for the fellowship we shared.''

A book of condolence at the church, which has already been signed by hundreds of people, is expected to remain open until after the funeral service.

Two other Scots were killed in last month's terrorist atrocity. Billy and Lisa Graham, from Bankfoot near Perth, lost their lives when gunman Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire.

The funeral of the couple, who had been in Tunisia to celebrate Mrs Graham's 50th birthday, will take place at Perth Crematorium on Monday.

The family of another British victim of the attack, Sue Davey, have confirmed that a church service of thanksgiving will be held at St Editha's in her home town of Tamworth, Staffordshire, on July 17.

Ms Davey was killed along with her partner, Scott Chalkley, of Derby.

Last week, Britain paid a solemn tribute to those who lost their lives with a minute's silence.

Three Irish nationals, two Germans, one Belgian, one Portuguese and one Russian also died in the attack.