THE tragically short lives of the “butterfly” boys were celebrated by hundreds of relatives and friends at their Poole funeral.

A poignant ceremony marked the lives of Harry Churchill, three, and his 21-month old brother Cody, who died within two days of each other, both succumbing to an infection related to their debilitating skin condition EB.

St Aldhelm’s Church at Branksome was filled with mourners, many clad in bright colours and the service included many favourite things and songs of the youngsters, known as butterfly children because their fragile skin would blister at the slightest touch.

Star Wars Stormtroopers lined the steps as in a snow flurry the tiny coffins were carried in by family and friends, including the boy’s dad Chris and Adam Murry, |a close friend of the family and AFC Bournemouth director.

Sharing a hearse, the bright coffins were covered in the boy’s favourite characters, Thomas the Tank Engine for Cody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story for Harry.

Flowered tributes spelled out their names and “Our Boys” and they arrived in the church to the music of Gangnam Style by PSY.

Their mum Steph read a poem followed by dad Chris reciting a poem from Harry and Cody, to applause from the congregation.

Tears flowed as Count on Me by Bruno Mars was played, and their favourite hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful was sung.

Canon Stephen Batty paid tribute to the fantastic “team”, including the boys parents and family who helped make the brief lives so fulfilling of the pair who touched so many lives. He pointed out that Harry had been expected to live just six months.

“Theirs was a masterpiece of love and interdependence and courage and perseverance, absolutely, totally against the odds,” he said.

“The years they lived weren’t long in number but they were absolutely stacked full of intensity,” he added.

Among the mourners was Maggie Linton, Steph’s aunt, and husband Keith, great-aunt and great-uncle to the little lads. “We sang the kids favourite songs,” said Maggie. “Everyone was asked to wear bright colours.”

She added: “Their parents are being very, very strong and showing a lot of dignity, grandparents as well.”

The celebration of the much-loved brothers lives was followed by a private burial service at Poole Cemetery.