The family of a seven-year-old boy killed in a suspected hit-and-run say they were “showered with love and support” during his funeral.

William Brown’s loved ones say he was laid to rest at the “perfect place” in Folkestone after the King granted permission for his burial in a closed graveyard.

The St Eanswythe Primary School pupil was hit while crossing a main road to fetch his football in Sandgate Esplanade on 6 December.

He was laid to rest on Saturday January 13 at St Eanswythe Church, a place he would often go to play with his friends.

Meanwhile, a 49-year-old man who was arrested in Dymchurch 24 hours after William’s death remains on bail until March 6.

Hundreds of mourners attended with many lining the streets for the little boy’s procession through Folkestone, while 10,000 people tuned in to a live stream shared on KentOnline.

Speaking after the service, his mum Laura Brown said it was a wonderful send-off for her son.

“Hundreds of people came to the church to pay their respects to William,” she said.

“The service was led by Father John and Bishop Rose, it was a truly wonderful service and a lovely send-off for our special son.

“We take great comfort that the whole community came together to support us as a family.

“The love the support that everyone has shown us has been human nature at its finest.”

She went on to thank those in attendance and the people who made the funeral possible, including the Privy Council and King Charles.

“The community united us all together and showered us with their love and support,” she added.

“We would like to say a big thank you to each and every single person.”

William’s coffin was carried in a white horse-drawn carriage and followed by a hearse bearing flowers.

The service began at 2pm and was shown on screens outside the church, while 400 mourners, consisting of William’s friends and family, paid their dues inside.

A gospel choir sung Lean On Me by Bill Withers to signal the beginning of the proceedings.

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

During the service, his father William Brown Snr 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 it was a “miracle” that his son’s headstone was situated in the same place he had referred to in his 2021 school book – under the chestnut tree.

William’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.

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.

Meanwhile, a fundraiser set up in memory of William Brown has raised more than £21,000.

This money will be donated by the family to St Eanswythe’s Church, where William is buried, so the site can get a new heating system which costs £35,000.

“The church and Father John has been and is a central support system for not only our family during such harrowing times but the whole community,” the family said in a joint statement.

“Our son William exuded nothing but warmth and kindness.

“In his memory, we would love nothing more than to replace the heating system in his honour.

“We would love to feel the physical warmth that we feel in our hearts every time we enter St Eanswythe’s Church.”

The suspect was arrested on December 7 and quizzed 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.