Friday 14 July 2017 22:18, UK
The funeral of young Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery was held on Friday, drawing thousands of mourners onto the streets.
The six-year-old, who captured the hearts of football players and fans across the world, passed away last Friday following a brave battle with neuroblastoma.
England striker Jermain Defoe, who formed a special attachment with Bradley during his time at Sunderland, flew back from his new club Bournemouth's training camp in Spain to attend the funeral of his "best mate".
The 34-year-old striker dressed in an England shirt bearing the name of Bradley, whose parents also wore football shirts to the service to honour their son's love of the sport.
Bradley's mother Gemma paid a moving final tribute to him at the service, saying he had "a smile so big and beautiful it could brighten any room" and described him as a "real brave superhero".
"For now, my baby, we'll say goodbye, we'll meet again our superhero high up in the sky," she added.
Balloons and tributes adorned the roads leading to the church where the service took place, in the village of Blackhall Colliery in the north east of England.
A bag-piper preceded a horse-drawn carriage bearing Bradley's coffin as it wound its way down streets lined with mourners, who were largely wearing football shirts to honour a request from his family.
Some Sunderland players and members of staff were also part of the procession, which passed by his former school where teachers and pupils lined up.
The service, which the family had said was 'open to everyone' and was broadcast on speakers for those who could not access the church, was followed by a private ceremony at a crematorium.
Hundreds of tributes were also on view outside Sunderland's Stadium of Light, and a vigil and minute's applause took place in Newcastle city centre at the same time as the funeral.
Bradley was first diagnosed with the cancer when he was just 18 months old and his courageous battle was exposed to a wider audience over the course of last season.
