THE soccer anthem You'll Never Walk Alone was a fitting tribute at the funeral of dog-attack victim David Kearney.

The stirring song, which has accompanied Liverpool FC through triumph and tragedy, played as relatives, family friends, school pals and teachers of the soccer-mad boy crowded into the tiny St James's church, Darwen. David, 11, was attacked by rottweiler dogs two days before Christmas after he climbed over a yard wall in Redearth Road to get a football.

He died in Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Manchester, 11 days after the attack.

Dozens of floral tributes from community groups, the police, friends and relatives surrounded the coffin as the cortege made its way from David's home in Broad Gate to the church.

David's distraught mother, Margaret, and estranged father, Kevin, clung to each other in grief throughout the half-hour service and at the graveside as the coffin was lowered into the ground. The Rev Dick Cartmell, who baptised David in hospital hours before his death, led the funeral service accompanied by the vicar, the Rev John Faraday.

Mr Cartmell told the packed church: "We are here to thank God for David's life.

"Here we remember not some shallow youth; we remember a loving young boy with potential and depth to his personality.

"We are not here to talk about the dangerous dogs policy. That will be addressed and rightfully so in future.

"We will not be dragooned from our cause today by headline hunters."

Mr Cartmell said there were lessons to be learned from David's death, both spiritually and reflectively as well as in the practical and law-changing concept.

He said that David had taken a risk when he climbed over the wall, as many small boys do.

But he said that risk was part of our lives given by God and something we all must live by.

The funeral party left the church for Eastern Cemetery and passed close to David's school, Sudell Road primary, before the burial.

The people of Darwen have collected £300 for a headstone.

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