Hundreds pay respects to Luke Chapman

Hundreds of mourners lined the streets of Hagley today to pay their final respects to 15-year-old rugby player Luke Chapman.

The teenager, a pupil at the village's Haybridge High School, died after collapsing during a match in Kidderminster.

The village near Stourbridge came to a standstill as the funeral cortege made its way through the streets to St John the Baptist Church.

Pupils from Luke's school applauded as the procession went past while traders and shoppers also came out onto the street to pay their respects.

People began to walk behind the cortege as it travelled along Worcester Road to the church.

The funeral service was led by The Rev Richard Newton and included the hymn The Lord's My Shepherd and a poem written by some of Luke's friends.

Carole King's You've Got A Friend and I'll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans, were played at the beginning and end of the service as they were both songs Luke enjoyed listening to.

Rev Newton said: "We honour Luke's memory by doing our best to allow it to live on – and we don't do that by standing still.

"So this service is an occasion for us to lament and mourn, but it's also a celebration of Luke's life."

Luke's headteacher and friends have expressed their shock and sadness at his sudden death on March 20.

Haybridge High School Headteacher Caroline Hoddinott said: "Haybridge was a huge part of Luke's life and Luke was, and always will be, a huge part of Haybridge. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his friends and family at this time."

Rugby players also paid their respects.