HUNDREDS of people gathered this morning to pay their last respects to 16-year-old schoolboy Kyle Rees.

Kyle’s distraught parents Tanya Cooper and John Rees were supported by relatives as they arrived at the service of thanksgiving, which was held at St Andrew’s Church in Bennett Road in Bournemouth.

Many of Kyle’s school friends from Avonbourne and Portchester schools attended the service.

Kyle died on February 28 after he was hit on the side of the head by an indoor practice cricket ball during school the previous day. Police say the incident was simply a tragic accident.

Full coverage inside Saturday's Daily Echo.