MOURNING friends and family filled a Bournemouth church to celebrate the life of a seven-year-old boy who died suddenly earlier this month.

The funeral of Alfie McDermott took place at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church in Boscombe yesterday afternoon.

Alfie suffered a fatal asthma attack while he was spending a day out at Farmer Palmer’s.

His funeral yesterday was awash with bright colours to represent Alfie’s love of rainbows.

A horse drawn carriage brought Alfie’s coffin to the church. A horn and bright feathers were placed on each horse to also mark his love of unicorns.

The white coffin was decorated with touching messages and drawings from friends in a range of bright colours, while floral tributes were placed on top.

Alfie’s father John spoke movingly of his selfless seven-year-old son, who had a close relationship with his younger brother Harry and his uncle Norman.

John said Alfie was a "selfless loving little boy", who had an "unconditional" love for everyone and everything.

He spoke of his son's musical talents and willingness to share everything he had, especially with his brother.

Alfie’s coffin was taken from the church to the sounds of an acoustic performance of popular Guns N' Roses song Sweet Child o’ Mine, which was one his favourite songs.

Mourners gathered at Kings Park cemetery for the burial after the funeral and then came together to raise a toast and share memories of Alfie.

Donations have been made to a fundraising page set up for the family to give towards spirometry equipment, which measures and records respiratory movements, for Poole Hospital.

Alfie visited the children’s ward at the hospital on a monthly basis and his parents spoke highly of the care their son received.

Money has also been raised to install a rainbow-coloured bench in Alfie memory at St Peter’s primary school in Bournemouth.

The fundraising page remains open at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alfiesrainbowbench