THE funeral of a 10-year-old boy who accidentally hanged himself while playing with ropes in a wood has taken place.

Family and friends of Connor Richard Tann, of Boosbeck, east Cleveland attended the service at St Thomas’ Church, in New Marske today (MON).

The youngster had been playing on ropes hanging from trees in Hutton Wood, near Boosbeck, on the evening of Saturday, October 24.

The circumstances as to how Connor became trapped are still being investigated by police, but officers are treating it as an accident.

It is believed he was playing with his best friend, who was unable to free him and had to run two miles for help.

Connor was taken to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, but was pronounced dead.

Grant Hopkins, headteacher of Lockwood Primary School, in Saltburn, where Connor was a pupil, attended the service.

"It was a well attended service," he said. "Myself, the governors and a couple of teachers went along.

"His best friend, who is coping well, was also there but we held a special assembly for the rest of the school.

Mr Hopkins said the children were coming to terms with what had happened.

"Connor was a smashing lad. You couldn’t say a bad word about him, he was a decent lad," he said.

"He was a pleasure to have at the school. He was a normal 10-year-old who worked hard and was very caring towards his friends.

"The children have been very good. Obviously they have had support from a number of agencies.

"The assembly gave them the chance to get a lot of things off their chests."

At the time of his death, Connor’s mother Vera Warzecha spoke of her devastation at losing her son.

She said: "Connor filled our hearts with joy and laughter. He was a sunny, bright, enthusiastic little boy with his whole life ahead of him.

"Although our sweet Connor is gone, we will always remember him with love."

A post-mortem examination last week confirmed the cause of death as hanging.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned.