Tribute for boy who drowned

About 300 people attended the funeral of Liam Robinson at Holy Trinity Church, West Cornforth, today.

Among the mourners were teachers and pupils from Ferryhill Comprehensive School, who have been writing poems to help them deal with the loss of their friend.

Members of Liam's beloved Durham Army Cadet Force formed a guard of honour as the coffin was led into the church.

Liam, from Ferryhill, had been fishing in the River Wear at Sunderland Bridge, between Croxdale and Durham, but got into difficulties when attempting to swim accross it.

He was pulled out of the water and airlifted to hospital by police helicopter, but was certified dead on arrival at the University Hospital of North Durham.

The Reverend Keith Lumsdon, who led the funeral service, warned of the dangers of playing in strong river currents.

He said: "I suspect it's true that many people here today swam and played in that same river.

"As children we often don't recognise danger and certainly Liam wouldn't have - it wasn't in him."

Liam lived with his mother, Nicola, and his stepfather in Willow Road, together with nine-year-old brother Carl and seven-year-old sister Terry-Lee.

Rev Lumsdon recalled Liam's love of listening to heavy metal music, watching boxing, his fondness for ferrets and dogs and his large appetite.

He also pointed out the tragedy happened whilst Liam was fishing and added: "In some ways fishing is a very quiet and meditative.

"It shows a side of Liam that perhaps not many of us saw because we always saw that boisterous side."

Rev Lumsdon paid tribute to the Army cadet leaders who gave their time and energy to Liam and other members.

Peter Malkin, assistant headteacher at Ferryhill Comprehensive, gave a Bible reading and Rev Lumsdon read out two poems Liam's school friends had written for him.

A song from Liam's favourite pop star, Eminem, was played as the coffin was carried out, before a burial service in the churchyard.