A COUPLE has thanked the local community after the support of the public enabled them to provide a special 'fairytale' funeral for their late son.

Dan Perrett and Jess Arrowsmith tragically lost their son Rhys - twin brother to Jax - just hours after he was born at Dorset County Hospital on November 24.

The Lyme Regis couple launched a crowdfunding campaign back in December in order to raise funds to give Rhys a special funeral service.

More than £1,900 was raised and Rhys was given his fairytale send off on Friday, January 8 - with a horse and cart to carry his coffin.

In the current lockdown, funerals are permitted to go ahead with a maximum of 30 people in attendance. Many of Dan and Jess' friends and family attended to pay their respects to the family - unfortunately Jess' immediate family were unable to attend due to a positive Covid-19 test.

Dan, 29, said: “We’re so appreciative of what everyone has done for us, it means so much.

“We are incredibly thankful to the people in the community who made a donation. Without everyone’s support we would not have been able to given our son the send off he deserved.

"As a result of the money raised, Rhys was able to travel in style to his final resting place."

The couple also received support from local businesses, with AJ Wakely and Sons Funeral Directors in Bridport waiving their usual charges, and Lavender Blue providing the flowers for the funeral.

It is suspected that Rhys suffered from Patau's syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. However, the couple are still awaiting on results of an external autopsy to confirm the cause of death.

His twin brother, Jax, is in good health and is putting on a healthy amount of weight after previously having to be tube fed at the hospital - which is considered fairly standard following a premature birth.

The funds raised were been put towards the horse and cart and other costs, and Rhy's headstone, with any additional funds donated to the Baby Care Unit and Maternity Ward at DCH.

Dan said: "It would be great if we could continue raising as much as we can to support the heroes on the baby care unit."

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/baby-rhys