FAMILY and friends gathered for the funeral of Darlington schoolboy Christopher Glen.
Christopher, 15, died after getting into difficulty while swimming in the River Tees near Cleasby Quarry.
Friends from Eastbourne School were among the mourners at St Teresa's RC Church in Harris Street yesterday.
Father Brendan Kelly conducted a moving service in front of a packed church.
He placed Christopher's Communion medal on the coffin, along with a trophy he received for good attendance at St Teresa's School.
Fr Kelly said: "Christopher's parents describe him as a pleasant happy boy, who was cherished by the family. In the area where he lived he helped a lot to improve the gardens."
Darlington Borough Council said it will erect warning signs on the stretch of river where Christopher died.
The Northern Echo attended yesterday's service at the invitation of the Glen family
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