Hundreds of people who knew 15-year-old Kyle McInerney packed into Christ Church for his funeral on Friday.

It was standing room only as mourners wore white, a symbol of purity and celebration.

As well as purity, Kyle’s mother Carol McInerney said the idea behind the colour came from a pop video she found downloaded on Kyle’s mobile phone.

The video for Kendrick Lamar’s Bitch, Don’t Kill my Vibe features people wearing white at a funeral.

Many attendees wore England rugby shirts to honour the youngster’s love of the sport and his coffin was sprayed white to tie in with the colour scheme.

Family, friends and neighbours packed into Christ Church in Copse Hill, Wimbledon, for the teenager’s send off after he died following a training session with the Old Rutlishians club in May.

The service was followed by the burial at the Merton and Sutton Joint Cemetery in Garth Road, Morden, and a wake with refreshments at the Old Rutlishians Club in Poplar Road, Morden.

Ms McInerney, of Middleton Road, Morden, said: "Thank you to people that came down.

"Words can’t express how grateful I am to everyone for turning up and showing their support and how much he was cared about.

"It was a beautiful send off and the rugby team gave him a Guard of Honour.

"Most people said it was the most moving part."

Kyle collapsed on the side of the rugby pitch during a training session on May 5 and died in hospital.