THE FAMILY of two brothers killed in an horrific industrial incident have set a date for their joint funeral.

Daniel, 30, and Tom Hazelton, 26, from Stanton, were crushed along with friends Peter Johnson, 42, also known as ‘PJ’, from Stanton, and Adam Taylor, 28, from Rickinghall.

The bodies of all four men were released to their families this week following an investigation into the cause of the tragedy at Claxton Engineering Services Limited, in Great Yarmouth, on January 21.

Marilyn Hazelton, mother of Daniel and Tom, said the men’s funeral at All Saints’ Church, in Stanton, at 11am, on Friday, February 18, would be a final farewell to the popular pair.

“Although we have been saying this is what we needed, it has hit us hard,” she said.

“We need to lay them to rest.”

Mrs Hazelton said her family did not want mourners to wear black but respectful colour as tribute to the boys in happier times.

“We just want to remember them as they were,” she said. “They were such happy people.

“They were very popular lads. So many people knew them.”

Family flowers only are requested, with donations to the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

The brothers will later be buried at St John’s Church, in Stanton.

Meanwhile, donations have been pouring in to the Four Friends Memorial Fund, which has now reached �2,738.66.

A major fundraising effort for the bid to achieve a permanent memorial has been at the Cock Inn pub in the heart of Stanton.

Yesterday, nearly �2,000 was in a kitty at the pub, which will later be donated to the fund.

Landlady Chris Roberts said: “Some people have just come in and put �100 in the pot which is amazing. It’s been really good.”

She said a bike ride would be taking place on July 2 to raise money for the fund.

Called the Diss Loop, the ride will start and finish at the Cock Inn taking in pubs along the 50-mile route.

Mrs Roberts said last year the bike ride had been in aid of First Responders, but this year money would be donated to the fund, which “is close to our hearts”. Other ideas are being thought of, she said, to help the fund including a summer music festival.

Blackbourne CEVC Middle School, in Stanton, has also been involved in fundraising efforts, managing to raise �745.

Deputy headteacher Debbi Barber said the response from pupils for an event last Friday had been “phenomenal”.

She said: “Many of the pupils obviously remembered PJ – he ran our discos – and we had a day when the children could come in dressed for a disco or in their PJs.”

She added: “And many staff actually remember the boys because we taught them.”

Mrs Barber said the tragedy had really touched the hearts of the school community.

“We have obviously got children in the school who have family links with the boys.

“It was a lovely day and the children just wanted to show a sign of respect and we had a thought about them in assembly as well.”

The pupils paid donations to take part in the event. The money was due to be sent in to the fund.

n If you would like to support the fund to create a lasting memorial to the four friends, please send cheques payable to Archant Regional Ltd (write Four Friends Memorial Fund on reverse of cheque), to Four Friends Memorial Fund, c/o the editor, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AN.