Jermain Defoe among mourners at Bradley Lowery funeral

Thousands of mourners have lined the streets to pay their respects to six-year-old football mascot Bradley Lowery whose funeral has been held in County Durham.

Premier League striker Jermain Defoe, who struck up a close friendship with Bradley, left training in Spain to attend the funeral and wore an England shirt to the service.

Ahead of the funeral, people filled the streets of Blackhall as Bradley’s coffin was taken to St Joseph’s Catholic Church – where he was baptised six years ago.

A piper led the coffin, which was in a carriage pulled by white horses draped with his favourite team Sunderland’s red and white stripes.

Friends and relatives walked behind dressed in superhero costumes and football shirts with ‘Bradley’ and the number six printed on the back.

A spontaneous applause broke out as the cortege passed crowds and some people released balloons.

The family said the funeral was open to everyone and that there was no formal dress code.

The service was played on speakers outside the church for people who were not able to fit inside.

Father Ian Jackson led the service and paid tribute to Bradley, saying he was a "bright, brave, loving, cheeky monkey".

Bradley was a mascot several times for Sunderland last season, Defoe’s former club, as well as for England at Wembley.

Sunderland players John O’Shea, Lee Cattermole and Vito Mannone and the club’s former manager David Moyes attended the service.

Sunderland AFC’s chaplain Marc Lyden-Smith spoke at the service, saying Bradley "has done much more than just touch the hearts of so many football fans".

"He has been more than a mascot to Sunderland Football Club, he has been an encouragement to many and a loving smile to all of us," he added.

Bradley, who died from the rare childhood cancer neuroblastoma last week, formed a special bond with Defoe.

"God has you in his arms and I will always carry you in my heart. Sleep tight little one. My best friend," the footballer wrote in a tribute to the boy.

Ahead of the funeral, the family wrote on Facebook: "Family and friends have chosen the theme cancer has no colours. So they are wearing football tops it doesn’t matter what team or colour."

Bradley died on 7 July at home in the arms of his parents Gemma and Carl.

(c) Sky News 2017: Jermain Defoe among mourners at Bradley Lowery funeral