MOURNERS are gathering in a Suffolk village today to say their final farewells to tragic six-year-old Alan Lock, who was pulled from a river.

Russell Claydon

MOURNERS are gathering in a Suffolk village today to say their final farewells to tragic six-year-old Alan Lock, who was pulled from a river.

The funeral gets underway in Acton's All Saints Church, near Sudbury, from 2pm with many of the families friends and his school teachers expected to turn out.

Parents Allan and Sharon, who will be arriving with Alan's little brother Adam, have received messages of condolence from all over the world after their worst nightmare unfolded on June 16.

Alan had been out on a nature trail trip along the banks of the River Stour in Sudbury with the 1st Acton and Waldingfield Scout Group when events unfolded.

It is believed a Beaver Scout leader pulled him out of the river by the old railway bridge before a desperate attempt to save his life ended in tragedy.

A police investigation has been conducted and detectives will be reporting the findings at an inquest of which the date has yet to be set. Officers have said they are not currently treating the death as suspicious.

The Reverend Jamie Allen, who appeared in a fly-on-the-wall BBC documentary, A Country Parish, will be taking the service.

Diana Bonnar, the head of Acton Primary School, said children from Alan's class will be given time this afternoon to hold their own remembrance service.

“Obviously it is a very sad occasion this afternoon and our thoughts are still with Alan's parents and younger brother,” she said.

“A number of the school community are attending the funeral and within the school we are continuing to support the children, particularly those who were in Alan's class and their families.

“The children are having their own private moment of remembrances this afternoon.”