Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of a seven-year-old boy killed in a suspected hit-and-run.

William Brown Jr has been laid to rest at The Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe in Folkestone after special permission was granted by His Majesty the King.

The procession started near William’s dad’s house in Sapper Row, before travelling along Sandgate Esplanade, where his mum lives, and into Folkestone.

William’s coffin was carried in a white horse-drawn carriage and followed by a hearse carrying flowers for the seven-year-old.

The service began at 2pm and was shown on screens outside the church as well as on KentOnline.

The 400-capacity church was filled with friends and family of William and the service started with a gospel choir singing Lean On Me.

His small white coffin – draped in a red sheet – was carried down the aisle by his dad William Brown Sr and three others.

Paying tribute, his father said: "I’m the proudest dad of William Brown and Pearl Brown.

"William was an easy-going character who often had his shoes on the wrong feet.

"He didn’t care about trivial nonsense, he was too busy making the most and being the life and soul.

"He was quick to forgive and forget, make peace and more on to positives.

"William always put others before himself. He cared for and accepted everyone. William's drive and determination was infectious and admirable."

Mr Brown acknowledged the "tireless team effort" that had culminated in His Majesty the King granting permission for his son to be buried at The Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe.

He said that "by some miracle" William's headstone would be in the exact place he had referred to in his 2021 school book – under the chestnut tree.

Addressing his late son, he said: “You wrote: ‘I am peaceful when I am sat under the chestnut tree.’

“There are a lot of great souls laid to rest here William, and they haven’t had a visitor in a while.

"You are in the history books with them now. Now that son, is legendary.”

Mr Brown expressed "sincere thanks, love and respect" to the emergency crews who responded when William was hit.

He said he had witnessed that he had the "best possible care".

"Thank you for enabling me to be with William throughout," he added. "Be at peace and know you all did everything you could for William."

He continued: "Thank you so much to the community for uniting with our family in supporting us, and creating William’s legacy of peace, love and unity.

"The support has been moving and uplifting."

Laura Brown, William’s mum, said: “Writing a tribute to William must be the most surreal thing ever.

“Not only because the loss of him is incomprehensible but words simply cannot give him justice in conveying just what a remarkable human being he was.

“He was not only a son, brother and grandson – he was a best friend to many.

“From the moment of his birth, William brought so much joy to so many.

“He was so special and unique. One of a kind. In this imperfect world, he was perfect to us.”

His grandad Ian Brown also paid tribute, saying: “William was my grandson, my little helper but most of all William was my dear, dear friend, and I love him very much.”

Among those who turned out in great numbers to pay their respects was 59-year-old Fiona Graham.

She said: “Personally, I don't know the family but I do think this event is tragic. He didn't deserve that. It’s definitely impacted the community.”

Penny Allen, 73, said: “I'm just sad. I’m here to support this family and this little lad.

“I've got a grandson and I’m absolutely heartbroken. We're all devastated for them.”

Margaret Murray, who is 74, said: “I'm here because of the message that the parents put out.

“It’s about love and peace and coming together as a community, which is becoming rarer and rarer in this day and age.

“The message wasn't of blame or grief. Obviously, there was grief, but it wasn't grief that was hidden.

“It’s a wonderful message they have put across.

“I’m also here to pay my respects to William, who sounded such a delight. I wish I'd known him.”

William died on December 6 after he was struck by a vehicle near his home on Sandgate Esplanade while fetching a football from the road.

His father said the family wanted to livestream the service as his son "would have invited everyone to his funeral”.

“It’s really important to us that we do Will proud and we get his message across," Mr Brown Sr said.

“I feel that with a good send-off, with everyone coming together, he will be looking down on us and be really proud.

“He’s only seven but for him to have had an impact and spread good values of love and togetherness and forgiveness is important to us.

“Will would definitely have invited everyone.

“Maybe you make new friends at the funeral, or maybe you can reach out to someone.

“Hug someone and show some love. Maybe you may see a neighbour there and you can build a new relationship.

“That's what Will would want. So please make sure you attend. It’s really appreciated.”

Will’s family campaigned to hold the burial at the historic graveyard as it has been shut since 1855, with only the monarch able to overturn a closure order issued by the Privy Council.

On Christmas Day, William’s mum, Laura, travelled four hours to Sandringham – where the Royal family attended a church service – carrying a personal letter to King Charles to ask for his help. The letter was handed to security staff.

Just five days later, King Charles and members of the Privy Council revealed they would lift the order to support William’s family’s wishes.

Remembering his young son, Mr Brown Sr added: “Will was loving and caring and he accepted everyone.

“There's stories of him playing football and people being left out and he'd go and get them.

“He'd unite everyone because he had that warm heart and loved bringing people together.

“Will would never make a big issue or a big scene out of anything. He'd just forgive, forget and move on.”

A 49-year-old man was arrested in Dymchurch almost 24 hours after William’s death.

He was questioned by detectives on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision and perverting the course of justice.

He is on bail until March 6.