Hundreds of mourners have bid an emotional farewell to six-year-old Lucas Dobson who drowned in a Kent river last month.
The schoolboy died after falling into the River Stour in Sandwich in August, while out fishing with his family.
His funeral service was held today at St George's Church in Deal on what would have been his seventh birthday.
Lucas’s coffin, decorated with a Disney Cars theme, was carried past members of the search and rescue team who spent days trying to find him after he was swept downstream.
His father, Nathan Dobson, delivered an emotional eulogy, saying: "You were my strength when I was weak.
His mother Kirsty Furze dyed her hair red, Lucas’s favourite colour, in a moving tribute to her son.
Reverend Peter Ould conducted the service, addressing the packed church.
He paid tribute to the "ordinary people" who did everything they could to help with the search.
"As a community was united in their search for Lucas and then their grief for his loss, we shared our love for each other again and again and again,” Revd Ould said.
"Our love for Nathan and Kirsty and their families - Nathan, I will never forget your courage as you stood in front of hundreds of people and thanked them for their support, Kirsty your love as you went to social media to pour out your heart.
"Lucas was lucky, is lucky, to have parents like you."
A family statement said: "Kirsty, Nathan and all the members of Lucas' family want to thank everyone who has come today to pay their respects to our beautiful little boy.
"We are very grateful to all the members of the emergency services, and to everyone who came to support us in the search for him.
"This is a very sad day for us, and we are grateful for the space to celebrate his life, and grieve our deep loss."
