Funeral services have begun at a Houston church for George HW Bush, the last public remembrance for the former president.

About 1,200 mourners were expected at St Martin’s Episcopal Church for the service, which will include eulogies from Mr Bush’s secretary of state, James Baker, and his grandson, George P Bush.

The funeral follows three days of events in Washington honouring the 41st president.

After the Houston funeral, a special train painted to resemble Air Force One will carry Mr Bush’s casket, family and close friends about 70 miles to College Station, where he will be buried in a private service alongside his late wife, Barbara Bush, and their daughter Robin, who died of leukaemia in 1953 aged three.