Tears and tributes for brave Rhys

Rhys: His favourite music was played at his funeral

More than 250 mourners gathered for the funeral of Rhys Daniels, who hit the headlines in 1993 when he became the first child to undergo a bone marrow transplant.

Rhys, 7, died at his home on Monday after losing his battle against Batten's disease, a rare genetic illness which left him blind and confined to a wheelchair.

The church was decorated with pictures of Rhys

The funeral service, which included music from his favourite film ET, was held at the St John the Baptist Church in Epping, Essex, where he was baptised in 1991.

Rhys's father, Barry, broke down in tears as he described how his beloved son "just wanted to be like any other little boy".

Mr Daniels described how his son had brought joy into their lives with his sense of fun even while suffering.

"We used to play a lot of games together when he was still mobile - football was a favourite.

"ET was Rhys's favourite film and his best friend, and over the past five years not a week has gone by without us sitting and watching that film."

Rhys's mother Carmen and their two other children - Charly, 10, who also has the disease and Bliss, three, who is unaffected - sat in the front row during the hour-long service.

Parents Carmen and Barry have set up a fund in their son's honour

The church was decorated with photos of Rhys and among those sending flowers was former Rolling Stones guitarist Bill Wyman. The card read: "Thinking of you at this sad time."

Among the mourners were Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley and publicist Max Clifford.

Rhys's case came to national attention in 1993 when his parents went to the High Court in London to demand he be given treatment that may have saved his life.

The High Court concluded that the closure of Westminster Children's Hospital, where Rhys was a patient, had cost him valuable time.

In 1993 he became the first child to undergo a bone marrow transplant in a bid to cure the illness.

Charly is also stricken by the genetic disorder

He had two unsuccessful bone marrow transplant operations in Bristol, but in September 1997 his parents decided to discontinue further painful treatment after being told by doctors the chances of him making a full recovery were minimal.

In the last year the couple have watched as the rare illness struck Rhys blind and confined him to a wheelchair before finally claiming his life.

Mrs and Mrs Daniels have set up the Daniels Charitable Trust, which raises money for children with Batten's.

Donations can be sent to the Daniels Charitable Trust, Cartoon House, Hemnall Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 4NQ.