MORE than 300 people gathered at Bere Regis church on Saturday to celebrate the life of Edward Kent, who died at the age of 13.

In keeping with Ed’s love of sport, guests were welcome to turn up wearing sports gear, while the music and hymns played included Jerusalem, chosen for its association with the England cricket team, and rugby union anthem The World In Union.

Among those who spoke in tribute was Ed’s father Andy, who praised his son’s enthusiasm for sport and the spirit of the game.

“He was a natural until he had to think about it,” he said. “Sometimes winning, sometimes losing, always having great respect for his opponents.”

Spurs fan Ed played for school, district and village teams in both cricket and football, although the former was his first love. Mr Kent said his son had been “proud” to be selected as a substitute for the Bere Regis football team, and to play for Lytchett and Upton Red Triangle FC.

The pair travelled to professional matches at various grounds and had recently met Australian cricket stars Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin. Ed bowled out Haddin first ball on a cricket video game, much to Clarke’s amusement. On hearing the tragic news of Ed’s death following an asthma attack on November 14, Haddin sent a touching message of condolence to the family, as did Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Canon Charles Masheder, who led the service at the Church of St John the Baptist, read a tribute from “a friend and colleague at Sandford Middle School”, who said: “He was a great lad, with the manners of a gentleman.

“Ed had a zest for life. A sunny smile which lit up his whole face. There is no doubt that he was one of life’s characters.”

At the end of the service a collection was made for the Three Ells Trust for the bereaved families of children and Asthma UK.

Ed, who leaves his father, his mother Paula and sister Becky, was a student at Lytchett Minster School, where pupils remembered him with a special assembly and cricket-themed dance.

A minute’s silence was observed before the start of a Year 9 football match against Bournemouth School and Lytchett Minster School has proposed a memorial. To remember him his year group and others who knew him held a special assembly and performed a cricket-themed dance. A minute’s silence was observed before the start of a Year 9 football match against Bournemouth School, and Lytchett Minster School has proposed to build a permanent memorial.