Wife of ex-footballer laid to rest

SCOTTISH flags flew at half mast as hundreds of mourners gathered yesterday at the funeral of the wife of former footballer Colin Hendry.

The service had a strong Scottish flavour throughout after a band of Highland pipers led a cortege through the streets of the Lancashire seaside town of Lytham St Annes, the adopted home of Denise Hendry and her family.

The mother of four died aged 43 last week in hospital, seven years after a botched liposuction operation.

She suffered multiple complications after the procedure and contracted meningitis following her latest surgery to correct the damage.

Denise had wanted to try to regain her figure after the birth of her youngest child, but fell ill just two days after the operation at Broughton Park Hospital in April 2002.