TRAGIC toddler Aaron Reynolds made his final journey on a three-wheel motorbike with his mum and her partner.

Aaron, three, died in a fire at his home in Lime Tree Grove, Constablelee, Rawtenstall, on August 7, and an inquest into his death last week recorded a verdict of "accidental death".

For his funeral his mum Sally Reynolds and her partner Graham Gardiner arranged for Aaron to be carried from the chapel of rest at Fred Hamer Funeral Service, Rawtenstall, to the crematorium at Atherton, outside Bolton, on a yellow trike, provided by Boom Trikes, of Bolton.

The 32-mile journey, with about ten out-riders and a funeral cortege, was made over moorland roads and through villages to avoid town centres.

Sally and Graham carried the toddler's small coffin, in Thomas the Tank engine blue, into the chapel of rest, where a family friend led a non-Christian service.

Flowers in the shape of Aaron's beloved Thomas were placed at the front and Graham and Sally lit a candle that lasted the duration of the service.

Pictures of Aaron greeted the 60 people who attended. Mourners were asked not to wear black or bring cut flowers, but to donate to charity or plant-living memorials instead.

In a celebration of his life, Aaron's grandfather Malcolm spoke of a delightful little boy who brought lots of love and happiness to everybody.

He said: "He was a very good natured child who would always have a lovely smile and very rarely cried and at times was very quiet and sensitive and he would always seem to be aware of how I was feeling.

"I cannot think of a more fitting tribute than the words Sally wrote and has had inscribed on his coffin: 'Your short life shone so brightly. That light will glow on in the hearts of all those lucky enough to have known you.'" Sally's mum Marie recounted going to Fairfield General Hospital when Aaron was born and the four generations being together for the first time.

She said: "Aaron was a little shining star. He will be in our hearts forever."

His cousin Rebecca then read a poem she had written to Aaron entitled "Aaron Is a Cat" because he used to imitate his cat Suzy.

A video of Aaron's last holiday in Sri Lanka had been set to music by Saville AV of Manchester, who provided a projector and staff to show it. It showed the happy lad playing in the sea, touching baby turtles, riding a motorbike and playing on the beach.

Aaron's favourite song, He's A Really Useful Engine, about Thomas the Tank Engine, was sung by family and friends who listened to the theme song from the programme before Goodnight, sung by Ringo Starr, was played as they left.

Sally and Graham plan to marry in Thailand and take Aaron's ashes with them to be scattered after the ceremony in the sea.

They are also planning a living tribute to Aaron in the form of a tree and possibly a bench at the East Lancashire Railway.