Funeral for fire death brothers

The bodies of Lewis and Taylor Jenkins were found inside the house

A funeral service for two young boys who died in a house fire has taken place in East Sussex.

Lewis Jenkins, seven, and his brother Taylor, five, died from inhaling fumes in the fire in Milfoil Drive, Eastbourne, on 4 October.

A private funeral service for family and friends at Eastbourne Crematorium heard how the boys "adored" each other.

Their mother, Denise Goldsmith, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and child neglect and bailed.

Sussex Police have said they are not treating the fire as arson.

During the hour-long service Ms Goldsmith put a teddy on each of the coffins which were covered in hand-painted scenes from under the sea.

'Ray of sunshine'

Father Bill Haymaker, who presided over the service, spoke of how the boys loved sea creatures.

"The boys were drawn to the water," he said. "They particularly loved sharks."

In his homily he likened the brothers to a ray of sunshine.

"They adored one another. Dressing up as superheroes, they would set out on secret missions, hoping to conquer the world together."

A eulogy was given on behalf of the boys' father, Stewart Jenkins, who is currently on remand in prison awaiting trial for rape and is understood to be estranged from Ms Goldsmith.

It said: "I was so proud of my boys and so in love with them.

"I may have lost my boys, but there is one thing I do know; my love for my babies is not lost and will never die."

A tribute from the boys' father was read out during the service

Scores of bouquets and tributes still lie outside the boarded-up end-of-terrace house where the boys died.

Ms Goldsmith was released on police bail until early December after being questioned by detectives.

In a statement, her solicitor said the 29-year-old tried to do everything she could to save her sons and was devastated by their loss.

About 150 people attended a one-hour memorial service at the Shinewater Community Church, close to the boys' home.

More than 3,000 tributes have also been left on a memorial page on the internet.