A MOTHER and son who died following a freak accident will be cremated today wearing the colours of Sunderland AFC.

Black Cats' boss Peter Reid has donated two red and white striped football shirts to the grieving family of football-mad Christine Veitch and son Robert.

The club's crest will be attached to both coffins, and following the double funeral, their ashes will be scattered at the Stadium of Light.

Pennywell, in Sunderland, where the mother and son lived, is expected to come to a halt for the funeral.

Nine-year-old Robert died on December 12 when he slipped on the garden path of his home in St John's Vale, Pennywell, banging his head.

Christine, 28, witnessed the accident and collapsed in a panic attack, swallowing her tongue.

She stopped breathing before paramedics arrived and needed emergency treatment. She died three days later in Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Her husband, Robert, 30, and seven-year-old daughter, Louise, are being comforted by relatives.

Funeral director Tony Clarke, speaking on behalf of the family, said: "The whole family are totally committed Sunderland fans.

"They want to thank the club, in particular Peter Reid, for providing the football strips, allowing the club crest to be used, and for the ashes to be scattered at the club at a later date to be arranged."

The cortege will leave Hylton Road, near the family home, to arrive at St Thomas's Church, for 12.45pm. The service will be followed by cremation at Sunderland Crematorium, at 1.30pm.