Tragic Nellie Geraghty will be laid to rest on Wednesday – without the ashes of her beloved husband.

Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets as the funeral of the 79-year-old widow takes place.

Nellie died after being mugged in a Shaw alleyway on November 24. She was clutching the handle of her missing handbag which contained the ashes of her husband Frank.

Her death sent shock waves through the community who joined police in painstaking fingertip searches to find the stolen ashes.

Despite combing the area for hours, they remain missing, and Nellie will now be cremated without them by her side.

A police escort will lead the funeral procession which will travel along Market Street, Shaw, from 12.15pm, followed by a service at Oldham Crematorium at 1pm.

It will be attended by hundreds of residents who have been touched by the pensioner's death.

There will be family flowers only but donations in Nellie's memory can be made to the Royal Oldham Hospital's intensive care unit, care of Robert Nuttall funeral services, 11A Milnrow Road, Shaw, Oldham.

A book of condolence has also been opened at Bits and Bytes computer shop, on Shaw market, for anyone who would like to pay their respects.

A 37-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has been bailed until February 14.

Inquiries are continuing and police are urging anyone with information in relation to Nellie's death or the whereabouts of her missing belongings, to contact police on 0161 856 5448.

Alternatively you can pass information to the police anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.