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Kirkham stream baby death: Funeral to be held later Kirkham stream baby death: Funeral held for boy
(about 4 hours later)
The funeral of a baby boy whose body was found in a stream in Lancashire last year will take place later. The funeral has taken place for a baby boy whose body was found in a stream in Lancashire.
The boy, who is believed to have been a full-term baby, was found in Spen Brook, off Carr Lane, Kirkham, on 1 October. The boy, who was thought to be no more than a few weeks old, was found in Spen Brook, off Carr Lane, Kirkham, on 1 October last year.
Despite appeals by Lancashire Police the baby's mother has not come forward. Despite appeals by Lancashire Police, the baby's mother has not come forward.
The funeral, which has been arranged through donations by local businesses, will take place at St Michael's Church, Kirkham, at 17:00 BST. The funeral, which was arranged through donations by local businesses, began at St Michael's Church, Kirkham, at 17:00 BST.
Local people initially raised funds to pay for the funeral but as businesses stepped in to offer their services the money raised will now go to local children's charities. Local people initially raised more than £1,000 to pay for the funeral but as businesses stepped in to offer their services the money will now go to local children's charities.
'Real sadness''Real sadness'
Mayor of Kirkham Councillor Elaine Silverwood said people in the town had "pulled together". Mayor of Kirkham Elaine Silverwood said people in the town had "pulled together".
She said: "Kirkham is a small, close knit community and there is a real sadness in the town. She said: "Kirkham is a small, close-knit community and there is a real sadness in the town.
"There is relief that the baby is going to be buried now because it has been many months since he was found."There is relief that the baby is going to be buried now because it has been many months since he was found.
"The fact that the little boy will be in our local church yard means that he is still close to us and will always be remembered." "The fact that the little boy will be in our local churchyard means that he is still close to us and will always be remembered."
Alan Billington, of Billington Funeral Directors which is co-ordinating the funeral, said: "When we saw the story in the paper we rang the council and said if the baby's parents weren't found we would undertake the funeral arrangements. His headstone reads "baby boy" and includes a pledge that he will always be remembered.
Alan Billington, of Billington Funeral Directors which co-ordinated the funeral, said: "When we saw the story in the paper we rang the council and said if the baby's parents weren't found we would undertake the funeral arrangements.
"I managed to arrange for the monumental masons to do the stone and the church isn't charging for the service."I managed to arrange for the monumental masons to do the stone and the church isn't charging for the service.
"People in Kirkham feel so sad that a baby hasn't got a mother or father to take care of them - it has brought the community together.""People in Kirkham feel so sad that a baby hasn't got a mother or father to take care of them - it has brought the community together."
The service will be performed by the Reverend Rick Bunday and will feature readings from three local primary school head teachers and Lancashire Police Det Ch Insp Andrea Barrow. The service was performed by the Reverend Rick Bunday and featured readings from three local primary school head teachers and Lancashire Police Det Ch Insp Andrea Barrow.
Lancashire police said the investigation into the baby's death was still ongoing. Lancashire police said the investigation into the baby's death was continuing.