Moving scene as little Keigan O'Brien's Paw Patrol coffin carried into his funeral in Doncaster

His father wore a blue tie as he followed his son’s colourful Paw Patrol coffin along the broad church path to the service at St Laurence’s Church, on Village Street. He was supported by other close relatives and friends, also wearing blue ties or neck scarves, in honour of Keigan’s favourite colour.

The little boy died in January, and a murder investigation has been carried out into his death.

The cortege of three black funeral cars pulled up in the bright March sunlight outside the historic gothic church shortly after 10am today, with the space having been reserved during the morning with specially placed black traffic cones.

Many mourners were already quietly waiting inside the landmark building when the hearse arrived.

On arrival, one of the undertakers’ team carried a floral tribute from the car into the church. The flowers spelled out the simple but moving word: “Son”. Several other floral tribures remained inside the vehicle.

As the family members got out of the cars and waited at the church gate, the vicar, the Rev Ann Walton, dressed in beige priest’s robes, come out of the church to meet the mourners, and led the funeral party. The tiny, colourful coffin, painted with characters from one of Keigan’s favourite television shows, was behind her as she recited a Christian message as she walked the short distance from the cars, past the gate next to which grew a single daffodil under a tree.

The content of the service remained private, but was a tribute to the little boy, and some of his favourite songs were played during a service which lasted just under half an hour.

Just before 10.40am, the Rev Walton led the family and the coffin back out to the waiting cars, this time the group making the journey in silence.

Around 50 mourners followed the coffin out, some carrying blue flowers for the little boy who had captured their hearts before his tragic death, before the funeral party left, taking little Keigan out of his home village for the last time, to Rose Hill Crematorium.

His family issued a tribute today.