A FITTING FAREWELL TO THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION

TEARS AND CHEERS AS BOXING LEGEND MAKES FINAL JOURNEY

- By GRETA SIMPSON & BETHAN FINIGHAN

THE applause began before Ricky Hatton's funeral cortege even turned out of his street.

On a grey Manchester day, thousands turned out to pay tribute to the pride of Hyde, who sadly passed away at his home last month at the age of 46.

The former world champion's cortege made its way from his home town for a service at Manchester Cathedral yesterday, passing the pubs, gyms and landmarks that shaped his life and career.

Hundreds gathered for the start of the procession outside his former local, the Cheshire Cheese, around the corner from his home.

Leading the procession was a flatbed truck carrying his beloved bright yellow Reliant Regal which starred as the Trotters' van in Only Fools and Horses. Ricky was a super-fan.

Mourners, clad in sombre black with splashes of sky blue scarves and buttonholes in honour of Ricky's beloved Manchester City, laid more wreaths on the truck - one most memorably in the shape of a pint of Guinness, his favourite tipple and drank pints of the black stuff in his honour.

Other floral wreaths included 'HITMAN' in bright yellow and simple arrangements spelling out 'BROTHER, 'SON, 'UNCLE' and 'DAD'.

Regulars from the pub left flowers and tributes, many with tears streaming down their faces. They, like their hero, were unafraid to show emotion.

The grief and pain were palpable but so was the swell of love and affection for their neighbour and friend.

There was continued applause, cheers and chants of his name as the hearse passed, carrying a sky-blue coffin adorned with a colossal wreath of lilies and roses and bearing the simple inscriptions 'Blue Moon', 'Ricky' and Richard.

Outside the pubs and gyms where he once trained and socialised, crowds applauded, cheered and wept.

At the Harehill Tavern in Hattersley, where Ricky grew up, mourners unveiled a mural in his honour, with blue and white flowers spelling 'There's only one Ricky Hatton' outside the pub.