A church was a sea of multi-coloured football shirts as hundreds gathered today to say goodbye to an 11-year-old boy who died from meningitis.

Family and friends of football-mad Andrew Tapper, of Bretch Hill, Banbury, donned their favourite teams’ shirts in memory of the schoolboy, who died on October 9.

Andrew's mother Jenny Essex, 43, and stepfather Brian Buller, 46, wore Newcastle United shirts — Andrew's favourite team.

Other teams represented were Manchester United, Chelsea and England, as well as local team Easington.

St Paul's Church in Warwick Road was packed as more than 200 people — including Dr Nicholas Thomas, who first treated Andrew when he arrived at the Horton Hospital, paid their respects.

Andrew's coffin was carried in to the church to the music of Dire Straits's Local Hero and during the service songs Stand By Me, by Ben E King, and Seasons in the Sun, by Terry Jacks, were played. Sarah Reynolds, his former teacher at Orchard Fields Primary School, paid tribute to "a star".

She said: "I had the magic of teaching Andrew for two years and it was wonderful to watch a young man blossom."

She talked about the school's first prom in July for Year Six leavers.

Ms Reynolds said: "It was absolutely amazing when we saw the children come in because they looked stunning.

"There was one young man who came in wearing a black tie and carrying a bunch of red roses.

"He was there to give out roses for thanks from his family to those people who had given up their Saturday night.

"He simply went around and handed a rose to every lady in that room."

She then handed Miss Essex a bunch of 11 red roses, one for every year of Andrew's life.

Ms Reynolds described Andrew as a bright pupil, who was very good at science, although not quite as good at completing his homework diary.

She said: "Andrew was an organised little boy who always worked hard, he listened and learned. He was always polite and attended school consistently.

"Everybody at Orchard Fields loved him."

Days before he died, North Oxfordshire Academy pupil Andrew came home complaining he did not feel well.

Initially, his mother thought he had a bug, but after he collapsed he was rushed to the Horton Hospital before being transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

His mother Jenny, who is expecting her third child, last week paid tribute to her "absolute sweetheart" — a kind-hearted boy who always helped other people.

Andrew also leaves a brother, Kieran, 14.