MOURNERS at Tom Lunt's funeral said the church service was one of the most moving they have witnessed as hundreds of well-wishers bade farewell to the Moorfield footballer.

Tom, who died after celebrating his 18th birthday with friends in Widnes town centre, was laid to rest on Monday, March 5.

More than 500 guests packed St John Fisher Catholic Church on Moorfield Road, Widnes, to say their goodbyes and pay their last respects.

One of the mourners said: 'It was one of the most moving and heartbreaking funerals I have ever been to. The lad was just beginning his life.

'It was so moving. People were breaking down in tears and it's understandable as Tom was such a lovely lad.'

Tom's team mates from Moorfield AFC were in attendance, along with members of the Moorfield Club, whose website continues to be flooded with messages of support.

Tom, of Proctors Close, Halton View, Widnes, died in the early hours of February 17 after he cut his arm on a broken window when he was on his way home.

A post-mortem examination showed he died from blood loss after severing an artery in his right arm.

ian.cheveau@cheshirenews.co.uk