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Hundreds expected for Epworth boy Alexander Strong's funeral Hundreds attend Epworth boy Alexander Strong's funeral
(about 5 hours later)
A town is expected to be brought to a standstill later as hundreds attend the funeral of a boy who died from a rare form of cancer. Hundreds of people have gathered for the funeral of a North Lincolnshire boy who died from a rare form of cancer.
Alexander Strong, from Epworth, North Lincolnshire, died last month from neuroblastoma, which affects fewer than 100 children in the UK every year. Seven-year-old Alexander Strong from Epworth died last month from neuroblastoma, which affects fewer than 100 children in the UK every year.
The seven-year-old's school, Epworth Primary Academy, and a number of businesses in the town are closed. His school, Epworth Primary Academy, and a number of businesses in the town were closed.
The funeral service is being held at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church. The funeral service, which featured the Star Wars theme tune, was held at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church.
Humberside Police said it expected disruption in the area "due to the expected number of attendees and vehicles". Rev David Leese, who conducted the service, said the church was packed and about 600 people attended.
A spokesman said: "The police will be in attendance performing traffic control while the service takes place and any disruption will be kept to a minimum." He said: "It was an emotional service and one that celebrated his life and part in the community.
"This was the church in which he was baptised in 2005 when he was born and the one that he said goodbye in."
Three people dressed as Star Wars Stormtrooper characters led the funeral procession and 200 balloons in Alex's favourite colours, orange and green, were released when the cortege arrived, Rev Leese said.
'Dignity and courage''Dignity and courage'
Alexander died in the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, near Sheffield. Alexander died at the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, near Sheffield.
His family said he was courageous and dignified to the end and they were very proud of how he fought his illness for three years.His family said he was courageous and dignified to the end and they were very proud of how he fought his illness for three years.
His mother Maxine Strong said his last words to her were "I love you mummy."His mother Maxine Strong said his last words to her were "I love you mummy."
"He was just adorable," she said. She said: "He was just adorable.
"He was just an amazing young man that never complained."He was just an amazing young man that never complained.
"I'm just very, very proud that he dealt with this disease with such dignity and courage.""I'm just very, very proud that he dealt with this disease with such dignity and courage."
His family set up a website charting Alexander's battle against the illness and to raise funds for research into neuroblastoma.His family set up a website charting Alexander's battle against the illness and to raise funds for research into neuroblastoma.
Last year he won the first North Lincolnshire Child of the Year award.Last year he won the first North Lincolnshire Child of the Year award.
His nine-year-old sister Olivia said: "He was very brave and he was very kind.His nine-year-old sister Olivia said: "He was very brave and he was very kind.
"He was a really good brother.""He was a really good brother."