People line the streets to say farewell to 'true diamond' Chris Carberry

Chris Carberry's death at the age of 24, after a monumental four-and-a-half year battle with the bone cancer, osteosarcoma, led to a flood of tributes to an inspirational young man.

Restrictions on funeral services because of coronavirus meant the amount of people attending the service inside St Helens Crematorium today had to be limited to a small number of family and friends.

Chris Carberry

Yet the public still found a way to show Chris how much he was loved and admired, lining the streets of his home village of Rainford and the approaches to the crematorium in Windle – while spaced apart – to form a guard of honour.

A guard of honour and applause

And as the hearse carrying his coffin drove by, the crowds applauded warmly and passionately.

Inside the crematorium, a service, which was live streamed so others could watch, was told how Chris had packed so much into his short life.

In a stirring tribute Tony Mather, funeral celebrant, told how the "memories of Chris can never be taken away, nor shall they be forgotten".

He told friends and family in the room – and those watching from afar – "it was an honour and privilege to know Chris" and that "he was and always will be a beloved son, brother, uncle, boyfriend and friend".

He will be remembered for being "fun and cheeky" but also immensely brave; a man who loved his Saints rugby, James Bond, golf and, above all, his family and girlfriend.

Mr Mather described Chris' enjoyment of school. He attended Corpus Christi primary before moving up to Rainford secondary school, developing a passion for rugby league and golf.

The hearse arrives at the Crematorium Pics: Dave Gillespie

As a junior, he played rugby for Blackbrook and Pilkington Recs clubs where he earned the nickname Taz because he "was a nice guy off the field but a nutter on it!".

At the age of 11 he developed a passion for golf and that would become a huge part of his life as he became a devoted junior at Grange Park Golf Club and developed many friendships there.

He went on to become an apprentice bricklayer working for his dad, Ste. The pair were not just father and son, they were best friends.

"He loved his job and always went above and beyond," said Mr Mather.

In 2015 came Chris's diagnosis with cancer but "he never gave in". Instead "he was extraordinary in the way he faced up to cancer and fought it to the end".

The disease meant he had to have a leg removed but "Chris being here was all that mattered".

However, he faced a "rollercoaster like no other" as the "cancer had been and gone but came back again".

Chris's family above and funeral celebrant Tony Mather reading a poem

Through it all, mourners were told, he stood defiant in the face of the disease and along with his family they looked across the world to find the right treatment to "keep him here as long as possible".

He chronicled his fight on the blog The Next Step for Chris, including his trips for treatment in India, was interviewed for various media, held fundraising balls and became an ambassador for CLIC Sargent, the children's cancer charity.

He won the Pride of St Helens Courage award and, through his charity work, addressed thousands of people with inspirational speeches at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall.

"These are the reasons people are all outside for him – to celebrate his life today," added Mr Mather, who stressed the love Chris had for his parents, two sisters, wider family and Tash, "his girlfriend and a best friend" and "a massive part of his life for the past five years".

It was said through his bravery, humour and cheekiness he packed more into 24 years than many people do in a lifetime.

Relatives watch as a small number of balloons are released

Mourners were told: "Chris was a great man and a true diamond that shines bright where ever he may be."

The service ended to the Elton John classic Tiny Dancer, before people gathered outside as a heartbreaking poem, written by Chris' sister Laura was read and a small number of red, white and blue balloons were let go into the sky.

Warm applause rang out as they soared upwards.