‘MUCH-LOVED’ Michael Raven made his final journey surrounded by family, friends and 400 pupils from his school.

The 12-year-old pupil at St Wilfrid’s Academy in Blackburn was found hanged at his Burnley home last month.

During his funeral at Blackburn Cathedral yesterday, Canon Andrew Hindley said that ‘like his parents, I do not believe Michael meant to end his life’.

He said: “Surely it was an experiment that turned into a fatal accident.”

Michael’s white coffin was carried from the hearse, which had an angel-shaped floral wreath in the window, into the Cathedral followed by his tearful mum Susan and dad Graham who held their youngest son Luke’s hands.

Canon Hindley said: “Michael was an adored son, he was his mum’s best friend and companion. Michael was Susan’s little man.

“He was a quiet and reflective boy and leaves a gap that can never be filled. He was priceless and his life was filled with quality but it wasn’t filled with quantity.

“These are sad and bewildering events. Every parent’s worst nightmare.

“No one should feel guilt about the event.”

The packed service heard Michael, of Longshaw Avenue, Burnley, and his family had been hit by tragedy five years ago when the 18-year-old son of Graham’s partner Kirsten died.

Stood with Graham, Susan read his eulogy.

The cathedral was filled by a moment of laughter when Susan said that Michael loved a bargain and his motto was ‘if it’s free, it’s for me’.

Distraught pupils were taken out of the service while others wiped away their tears to hear the tributes to their school friend.

Everyone listened as Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven was played after it was chosen by Michael’s younger brother, Luke. The school’s choir sang Snow Patrol song Run.

Michael’s grandfather, the Rev David Cooper said: “God, you gave Michael to us as our grandson. Give us now the assurance that though he has passed from our sight he has not passed from your care.”

Afterwards, a private committal took place at Burnley Cemetery.