Hundreds line streets of Haverhill at funeral of stabbed teenager Harley Barfield

More than 100 people have turned out to pay their respects at the funeral of a teenager who died after being stabbed through the heart.

Sixteen-year-old Harley Barfield was stabbed on 9 January following an altercation in a car park in Haverhill in Suffolk.

Schoolchildren, friends and family paid tribute to Harley as his funeral cortege passed through the town.

His coffin was carried in a silver hearse, with a floral arrangement on the top reading Lil' Bro

Dozens then gathered in the market square, where the service from St Mary's Church on the High Street was broadcast to crowds.

Rev Max Drinkwater, who led the service, said it was a chance for the town to pay its respects.

"It was wonderful to see how the community has pulled together to support the family, and to support Harley's close friends, to make sure today goes well and we have that opportunity to honour him," he said afterwards.

Among those in the market square were school friends of Harley's, many hugging each other in comfort during the service, as well as others who did not know him but had turned out in solidarity.

Shirley Hillman, who attended with her son Grant, a schoolmate of Harley's father, said: "We are a big community in Haverhill, and we all look after each other.

"Even if you didn't know Harley, you know the parents, and the sadness that we all feel, especially at the way he died, is just enormous.

"Everybody just wanted to show they care."

Paying tribute shortly after his death, Harley's mum Bernice said: “My baby boy Harley had the biggest blue eyes and the biggest smile.

"His laugh was infectious and heard often with his constant clowning around. I love you to the moon and back son. Rest in peace.”

Harley's Dad Darryl described Harley as his "mini-me", adding, "I miss him with the whole of my heart, especially our 8pm telephone calls every night. I will look up to the stars every night and say: “I love you, goodnight son”.

In the wake of Harley's death, people in Haverhill lit candles in their homes and shared the images on social media in a vigil for the teenager.

Last month a post mortem examination found he had suffered several stab wounds - one of which was to his heart.

A teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested shortly after the incident and subsequently charged with his murder. He will appear again at Ipswich Crown Court on 10 March.