Fancy dress funeral for murdered Ben Kinsella

Stars from the world of entertainment joined more than 1,000 mourners today for the funeral of murdered teenager Ben Kinsella.

Dozens of the 16-year-old's friends dressed up in colourful clown wigs, outsized sunglasses and Daily Mirror Stop Knives Save Lives campaign t-shirts for his funeral today.

They were joined at the service by a number of former EastEnders stars, politicians and actors.

In a deliberate twist from traditional funeral convention, many of Ben's friends came dressed in bright colours with some bearing a single white or red rose.

And in another break from tradition, the teenager's purple coffin was brought out from the church to sustained applause.

Former EastEnders' stars Michelle Ryan, Gillian Taylforth and James Alexandrou were joined by actress Linda Robson, the father of murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor, Richard, and Islington North Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn for the service.

His sister Brooke, wearing a yellow dress, mum Debbie, dad George and sisters Jade and Georgia moved quickly through the throng to take their places inside the church.

Another touching tribute read: "I love you, you were a beautiful star and now you will shine even brighter. I miss you so much. I love you even more." It was signed "B".

Some mourners broke down in tears as members of Ben's family carried his coffin into the church, accompanied by the Michael Jackson song "Ben".

Two hearses lead a large procession of funeral cars which crammed into the street outside.

Each of the cars was bedecked with floral tributes. The lead hearse bearing a huge pair of red sunglasses.

Other poignant tributes included a football made of flowers, a large letter X representing a kiss, and arrangements reading "son", "cousin" and "great nephew".

The road outside the church was closed due to the huge amount of people attending the service.

Police later estimated that more than 1,000 mourners had been inside the church alone.

Three teenagers have been charged with Ben's murder.

Juress Kika, 18, Michael Alleyne, 18, and Jade Braithwaite, 19, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court and have been remanded in custody to October 13.

Murdered teen assaulted by "up to eight" attackers

Police investigating the knife murder of an 18-year-old male youth in south London said on Friday he had been assaulted by up to eight hooded attackers.

Officers arrested a 16-year-old boy over the murder at his home in Brixton in the early hours of the morning.

Police had been called on Thursday evening to reports of a fight in Guildford Road, south Lambeth, and found the 18-year-old stabbed in the abdomen.

He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"It is believed that up to eight males were involved in the assault on the victim," Scotland Yard said.

"The suspects are described at this early stage as wearing hooded tops and some were possibly in possession of bikes."

Knife crime has become a top political issue in recent weeks with a spate of violent deaths, mostly stabbings, on the streets of London so far this year.

Cricketers join our Stop Knives Save Lives campaign

Four of England's cricketers pose proudly as they add their support to the Mirror's Stop Knives Save Lives campaign.

Wearing T-shirts bearing a picture of 16-year-old stab victim Ben Kinsella, players Tim Ambrose, Stuart Broad, Alistair Cook and captain Michael Vaughan became the latest stars to join our bid to end the violence on the streets. Vaughan said: "We would like to send our sympathies to those families who have lost loved ones due to knife crime. It is having a devastating impact. We are happy to lend our support to this campaign."

They were pictured at Headingley in Leeds where today they will play South Africa just as Ben's family and friends gather for his funeral.