MOURNERS yesterday crowded into Holy Saviour Church, in Colne, to say their final goodbyes to tragic seven-year-old Gary Lee Ormerod, killed in a road accident last week.

He was on his way home from a friend's house with one of his brothers and had been using the pedestrian crossing in Burnley Road when a tipper wagon travelling towards Colne collided with him.

Flowers and messages of sympathy from the devastated local community have been placed at the scene, at the junction with Phillips Lane, throughout the week and yesterday friends and family were able to pay their final respects.

They gathered at the church, in Burnley Road, to hear the Rev Mike Hartley pay tribute to the Primet Primary pupil who 'loved football, watching television and eating cake'.

He told Gary Lee's three brave young brothers, who were dressed alike in navy checked shirts and baseball caps: "It is OK to cry."

He then asked the congregation to join him in remembering what a happy, normal, seven-year-old Gary Lee was while one of the little boy's favourite songs, Mambo Number Five by Bob the Builder, was played.

Traffic was halted in Burnley Road close to where the accident happened as the funeral car, containing his coffin adorned with bouquets and football-shaped wreaths, arrived at the nearby church.

It was then carried into the church accompanied by the song 'The Air That I Breathe' by the Hollies.

Photographs of Gary Lee and mementos, including a small brown teddy bear, were carried into the church by his three brothers, aged eight, nine and ten, and other relatives and were placed on top of the coffin during the service.

The Flower Duet from Lakme ended the service before Gary Lee's mum, Joanne Taylor, spoke individually to everyone who attended and shared her grief with them.

Gary Lee was finally laid to rest in Colne Cemetery at a burial ceremony following the church service.