Sgt Quilliam's daughter watched a Nimrod overhead

Angela Quilliam, 13, said Sgt Gary Quilliam was a "lovely" man who would remain in her heart forever.

The service for the 42-year-old was held in his home town of Forres, Moray.

He was among 12 RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and a soldier who died when the Nimrod crashed on 2 September after a suspected technical fault.

The service for the Sgt Quilliam, who is survived by his daughter and widow, Rayna, took place at the Forres Parish Church of St Laurence.

Heaven sent

During the service, his daughter said: "Dad was one of the best things that happened to me. He always wanted the best for me. He will be in my heart for eternity.

"His soul is watching over us."

In a tribute read on her behalf by family friend Paul Russell, Sgt Quilliam's widow said: "Gary was the most kind, gentle, generous-natured man anyone could know.

"Gary always wanted children as much as I did and together we are so proud of our angel who was sent from heaven."

Sgt Quilliam was described as a character by colleagues

An RAF Kinloss Nimrod staged a flypast, and after the church service a private service took place for Sgt Quilliam at Inverness Crematorium.

The weapons systems operator, who was known as "Q", was born in Lancashire and joined the RAF in January 1986.

Sgt Quilliam was described by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as a "character" who had recently returned to the job that he loved on the front line.

The last funeral of the men who died in the crash, that of Flt Sgt Adrian Davies, will be held on Monday in Forres.

A memorial service for them will be held at RAF Kinloss in January.