HUNDREDS of people were expected at the funeral of 16-year-old Matthew Garratt yesterday, after he died following a two-year battle with cancer.

The Year 11 pupil at Kingdown School died on January 11. His funeral was due to be held yesterday at the Minster Church, Warminster.

The Rev Jacques Desrosiers, vicar of Minster Church, who was going to take the service, said: “It is always tragic when a young lad with his whole life ahead of him passes away from a painful disease.

“We are expecting at least 50 children from Kingdown School to attend the service so it will be quite a full church. We’re expect almost 200 people.

“The family have been overwhelmed with the messages of support. Friends and family of Matthew took to Twitter after his death to post messages using #aflowerformatthew.

The Rev Carole Owen, associate priest at Minster Church who is also a supply teacher who taught Matthew when he was a pupil at Minster C of E School, said: “He was a lovely boy and they are a lovely family.

“We opened the church on Saturday for people to come in and light a candle or say a prayer for Matthew.

“I lit the first one at 9.45am and by 4pm the whole votive candle stand was full and burning brightly, which was tremendous.”

Donations in Matthew’s memory can be made to Cancer Research UK.