The mother of ten-year-old Timmy Barry, who was swept out to sea and drowned, said a tearful farewell at his funeral today.

"I love you so much," Emma Barry said over her son's coffin at the service in Newhaven.

Timmy drowned off Brighton beach on November 26, along with carer Janette Moss who is thought to have been trying to save him.

More than 100 people gathered at today's service at St Michael's Church.

Father Joseph Harper said Timmy had brought: "Joy, love and hilarity" to many people's lives and urged the mourners to gather up memories of his short life.

He said: "Gather these fragments as you would music on a cassette so you can record and replay those precious memories."

Timmy, diagnosed with autism at the age of two, lived with his family in Peacehaven and attended Hillside Special School in Portslade.

Headmaster Bob Wall said seeing Timmy with his mother, his father Andy and his 14-year-old sister Amanda was "inspiring and moving".

He said: "There was a special relationship between them."

Mr Hall said he would remember Timmy, with his bright red hair, as the boy who tried to delete things on his computer whenever he was in his office.

He read tributes from school staff: "A loving little boy - happy to run free - his lovely hair - his smile, which lit up his face."

One recalled Timmy's look of glee when burger and chips were on the menu, another Timmy's love of chocolate.

Mr Hall said: "And he would love sitting under a tree making daisy chains.

"I feel strongly we should celebrate the life, love and affection Timmy shared with us all."

Timmy's taste for chocolate was reflected in a song played during the service, Shanks and Bigfoot's Sweet Like Chocolate, with its words: "He's my chocolate boy, brought me so much joy."

Favourite hymns were sung, including All Things Bright And Beautiful and When The Saints Go Marching In.

Floral tributes included one from Timmy's immediate family in red carnations, spelling out his name.

The cortege left the church for a private burial at Newhaven Cemetery.

The funeral of 45-year-old Mrs Moss, who also lived in Peacehaven, was being held later today.