Thousands turn out to mourn Bradley Lowery at funeral
Video report by ITV News Correspondent Damon Green
Thousands turned out for the funeral of inspirational football mascot Bradley Lowery.
The six-year-old, who captured hearts around the world, died after battling a rare form of cancer last Friday.
People clapped and chanted "there's only one Bradley Lowery" as his funeral cortege went past.
His little coffin was draped in his beloved Sunderland colours.
England footballer Jermain Defoe, who formed a close friendship with Bradley over the last few months, was at the service in the youngster's home village of Blackhall, County Durham.
He wore an England shirt with Bradley's name and number 6 on the back and was seen wiping away tears.
Sunderland players John O'Shea, Lee Cattermole, Vito Mannone and ex-manager David Moyes were among those packed into St Joseph's Catholic Church, where Bradley had been baptised six years before.
Father Ian Jackson led the service and paid tribute to his "wonderful personality", adding: "Bradley was a bright, brave, loving, cheeky monkey".
The service began at 11.15am with Bradley's family saying the funeral is "open to everyone".
Bradley's coffin was brought to the church in a horse-drawn carriage, led through the village by a piper playing Amazing Grace and followed by superhero characters.
Spontaneous applause broke out in the crowd as the cortege passed.
And it happened again when the coffin was brought out of the church and was driven away before a private ceremony at a crematorium.
Bradley's family encouraged people attending to wear football shirts to help celebrate his life.
Bradley was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer of the nervous system, when he was 18 months old.
Last season he was mascot for Sunderland, Everton and England, striking up a remarkable friendship with Defoe, who left training in Spain with new club Bournemouth to be at the funeral.
Bradley's "best mate" was set to join the memorial service, having visited him several times in the final months of his life.
Sunderland AFC's chaplain Marc Lyden-Smith told the church, plus the thousands of mourners following the service on speakers outside, how football sometimes gets a bad press - but not today.
He said: "Today the football world stands united, whatever our colours, to pay their respects to this incredible little boy with a huge personality.
"Bradley Lowery has done much more than just touch the hearts of so many football fans.
"His lasting legacy is that he has, with his pure and innocent love of the beautiful game, brought people together."
For those unable to make it to the public ceremony, Bradley's family suggested they wear the colours of their favourite football team in his memory.
People can also make a donation to the Bradley Lowery Foundation here
Bradley, who had been a mascot for Sunderland several times last season, found a place in the hearts of thousands of football fans around the world.
He was an England mascot at Wembley when Defoe scored on his return to the Three Lions side.