Andy Bell
BBC Tees

Bradley Lowery's classmates are celebrating his life today.

Pupils at Blackhall Colliery Primary School are holding a day of activities in memory of their friend.

Bradley Lowery was laid to rest morning at St Joseph's Church in Blackhall Colliery.

During the ceremony, Father Ian Jackson spoke of the unity Bradley had brought to the community and the football world.

Bradley's mother Gemma mother told the congregation that he had "a smile so big and beautiful it could brighten any room" and described him as a "real brave superhero".

She said: "A loving, caring son and brother - a beautiful star. Although your time with us was short, you must have a job to do in heaven with the angels as God has chosen you.

"For now, my baby, we'll say goodbye, we'll meet again our superhero high up in the sky".

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland AFC player Jermain Defoe was visibly upset at Bradley Lowery's funeral.

Defoe formed a close relationship with the little boy during the last months of his life and called him his "best friend".

The football player could be seen shedding a tear as he left Bradley's funeral.

Image source, Getty Images

Thousands of mourners were at Bradley Lowery's funeral, police said.

The community came together in Blackhall Colliery this morning to remember the six-year-old.

Many people wore football shirts and carried balloons as Bradley's hearse passed through the village accompanied by his family and superheroes, including the boys personal favourite Jermain Defoe.

Image source, Getty Images

Stuart Whincup
BBC Look North

A single piper led the funeral procession and the applause down the street could be heard well before the horse and carriage carrying Bradley's coffin could be seen.

Bradley's parents Gemma and Carl were behind. Then came the superstars dressed as Batman, Spiderman and Captain America.

As a handful of balloons - blue and red - floated in the air, Jermain Defoe in his England top followed the family. Behind him a number of Sunderland players and staff.

Hundreds lined Blackhall's Main Street, three deep behind silver steel barriers.

As the family requested hundreds wore football strips - the red and white of Sunderland, black and white of Newcastle, blue of Everton, green of Celtic.

Bradley had, as one mourner said, opened the worlds eyes to childhood cancer.

His life was tragically short and yet truly remarkable.

Image source, EPA

Large crowds took to the streets of Blackhall Colliery to say their final farewell to Bradley Lowery.

As this picture shows the community came together to honour the little boy.

Jermain Defoe is at Bradley Lowery's funeral wearing his England football kit.

The six-year-old and the former Sunderland player formed a close relationship during the last months of Bradley's life.

The little boy called Defoe his "best friend".

Image source, Getty Images

Bradley Lowery's hearse has passed through the streets of his hometown Blackhall Colliery.

Hundreds gathered wearing football shirts and carrying balloons to say their final goodbyes to the little boy.

Image source, Getty Images

Schoolmates and teachers of six-year-old Bradley Lowery are paying tribute outside his school this morning.

Our reporter Andy Bell is with them and says some are visibly emotional.

People from across the country have dressed in their favourite football teams' kits in to remember Bradley Lowery.

The Sunderland fan is being laid to rest in his hometown Blackhall Colliery this morning.

Bradley, six, died last week after a battle with the childhood cancer neuroblastoma and his family suggested that those unable to make the public ceremony could wear the colours of their favourite team.

As a result, the hashtag #CancerHasNoColours is currently trending at number four on Twitter, as people share pictures of themselves in their kits, representing clubs from across English football and beyond.

Image source, PA

Large crowds continue to gather for Bradley Lowery's funeral this morning.

The six-year-old is to be laid to rest at 11:15 in his village Blackhall Colliery.

Mourners took to the streets early this morning to decorate them with balloons and other tributes.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Danny Savage
North of England correspondent

There are many hundreds of people here. A lot of them are wearing football shirts - Bradley was a Sunderland fan - and there are bright colours.

People say they were inspired by the fight he put up against cancer.

And it was his smile, that's what many people have said - it was his smile and his spirit.

Stuart Whincup
BBC Look North

There is a 6ft floral tribute outside St Joseph's Church, in Blackhall Colliery.

Blue was Bradley's favourite colour.

Sunderland AFC have shared their support for Bradley Lowery's friends and family on Twitter.

The six-year-old was a fan of the club and formed a close relationship with his hero and former Sunderland player Jermain Defoe.

Stuart Whincup
BBC Look North

Hundreds have already gathered outside St Joseph's Church in Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, where Bradley Lowery's funeral will take place this morning.

Bradley passed away last Friday after battling neuroblastoma since he was 18-months-old.

Many mourners are wearing football shirts and carrying balloons in his honour.

Bradley Lowery's teachers and classmates are lining the streets of Blackhall Colliery in his memory.

Megan Paterson
Reporter, BBC Look North

Bradley Lowery's school is paying tribute to him this morning.

Pupils at Blackhall Colliery Primary School are wearing football shirts, as requested by Bradley's family, and decorating the building with balloons.

The Sunderland AFC fan will be laid to rest at St Joseph's Church in the village at 11:15.

People have started to decorate the route of the funeral procession for six-year-old Bradley Lowery.

Mourners wearing football shirts are already taking to the streets of Blackhall Colliery, County Durham,to honour the Sunderland fan.

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

The funeral of six-year-old Bradley Lowery takes place this morning.

The Sunderland fan had suffered from neuroblastoma since he was 18-months-old.

Since becoming a Sunderland mascot last year, the little boy received the support of thousands after capturing people's hearts.

Dozens of tributes to Bradley Lowery have been placed outside the Stadium of Light since the Sunderland fan died last week.

The six-year-old, from Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, died last Friday following a fight against neuroblastoma.

Bradley's family said his funeral at St Joseph's Church in the village at 11:15 is "open to everyone", external, It will be followed by a private crematorium ceremony.

Bradley's family said they would wear football shirts in honour of his love of the sport.

A vigil and minute's applause are planned at Grey's Monument in Newcastle city centre at the same time as the funeral, while balloons will be released at noon at the Stadium of Light.