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Town turns red as funeral held for 10-year-old Man United fan Poppy Atkinson
Today at 17:18
The home town of avid Manchester United supporter Poppy Atkinson turned red in memory of the youngster tragically killed in a collision with a car on a sports pitch.
The family of the 10-year-old from Kendal, Cumbria, requested that mourners at her funeral service, and those lined on surrounding roads to pay their respects, wear red, or any football shirt.
Poppy's parents, Ben and Clare, and seven-year-old brother Edward, as well as other members of her family, were in the congregation at Kendal Parish Church.
Players and officials from local junior football teams, many wearing Manchester United shirts with the number 10 and Poppy on the back were also there.
Poppy was a huge sports fan
Poppy was a huge sports fan
Mourners formed a "guard of honour" in the church grounds where earlier four young boys with "Poppy" football shirts kicked a football around.
Her family said Poppy idolised the team and England players Ella Toone and Kobbie Mainoo, as well as Lioness Georgia Stanway and former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi "to name a few".
Police investigating the collision during a football practice session at Kendal Rugby Club earlier this month arrested a 40-year-old man from Lancaster on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
He was later released from custody.