THE village of Barlby was in mourning today as it said farewell to six-year-old Joshua Crowder.

Dozens of villagers, along with family and friends, joined a walking procession behind the funeral cortege as it made its way along York Road, Barlby, to All Saints' Church.

Joshua, a pupil at Barlby Hill Top School, was killed while crossing the road near his home, in Northfield. He was hit by a car as he stepped out from behind a parked van.

Today the village was united in grief as it paid its last respects to Joshua, described by his heartbroken parents, Stuart and Sarah, as a "bundle of joy".

The walking procession left the family home at 10.30am, with mourners fighting back tears as they remembered the little boy who always had a smile on his face.

Walking alongside Stuart and Sarah were Joshua's nine-year-old sister, Rebecca, and his grandparents, Derek and Elaine Crowder.

Joshua was killed just outside his grandparents' home, in Turnhead Crescent after he had been playing with a friend.

After an emotional funeral service, he was buried in his favourite pyjamas, which had pictures of dinosaurs on them, and his football socks.

The Evening Press was attending the funeral with the full permission of the family.

Updated: 15:54 Wednesday, February 13, 2002