A POET from Derby is hoping a piece he has written in honour of six children who died in a house fire is of comfort to their family.
Barry Lambert said he felt compelled to pen the poem after reading the horrific news about how the six Philpott siblings perished in the blaze in Allenton in May.
The 69-year-old has printed out 10 colour copies of the poem, which have been illustrated by his niece with six angels flying in the sky, and hopes their family will accept them as a gift.
Mr Lambert, of Newhaven Road, Chaddesden, said: "I just thought with it being the first Christmas without them I would put some words together in the hope that they will bring some comfort to their family and friends.
"I don't think anyone in Derby could fail to have been moved by what is such a terrible tragedy."
Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five, all died in a blaze at their parents' semi-detached house in Victory Road, Allenton, Derby, on May 11.
Their brother Duwayne, aged 13, died later in hospital.
Their parents Mick Philpott, 55, and his 31-year-old wife Mairead, of Victory Road, Derby, are expected to face trial in February after pleading not guilty to six charges of manslaughter.
Family friend Paul Mosley, 45, of Cecil Road, Derby, also faces six manslaughter charges and will also be tried in February.
Mr Lambert, a retired block paver, and his wife Beverley, 59, have four children – Nicola, 40, Matthew, 38, Karl, 35, and Kevin, 27.
They also have five grandchildren.
He said he has been writing poetry and drawing, inspired by the artist LS Lowry, for more than 50 years.
His poem, called The Philpotts, is told as though the children are talking to their family members from Heaven.
It begins: "Do not be sad our family, and friends on the land, we are all safe in Heaven now, we are in God's loving hands."
Mr Lambert said: "All we seem to be hearing is the news about the court case that is coming up in the new year and the children themselves are hardly being mentioned.
"I don't think anyone will forget what happened on that day and I was unsure how to say the piece, so I decided it would sound better if it was said by the children to their loved ones back here on earth.
"I hope the family get to read it and that they can take some comfort from it."
Mrs Lambert said she believed the whole of the country had been moved by the tragedy.
She said: "My heart goes out to the family and friends of those children."
The Philpotts – a tribute to the Philpott children, by Barry Lambert. Please do not be sad our family, And friends on the land, We are all safe in Heaven now, We are in God's loving hands. We have all got our wings now, So there is plenty for us to do, We fly with the birds and bees, And the butterflies too. We fly up to the clouds, We all play hide and seek, We fly back down again, We play leap the leap. We slide down the rainbow, We fly up to the skies, We fly around the stars, That glaze in your eyes. We fly up to the Milky Way, We all play stepping stones, We fly back down again, So we will never be alone.