SCHOOLFRIENDS clutched one another for comfort. For many, it was their saddest day - when they said goodbye to a friend and classmate.

Bassaleg schoolboy Rhys Jones, 12, died after being swept along with three friends by the swollen River Ebbw at Rhiwderin on January 31.

Three of his friends survived - but a whole community was traumatised by the loss of a boy described by parents Lyndon and Linda as a "kind, gentle, cheeky, well-mannered young lad".

The depth of that loss was shown yesterday by the hundreds of mourners at St Basil's Church, and the floral tributes to Rhys.

One read: "God saw it was difficult. He took you to his home, his garden must be beautiful he only picks the best Rhys. There's a place in the classroom that no-one can ever fill. From your mate."

Duffryn High School sent a basket of flowers with their thoughts to Rhys and his family.

Two floral tributes spelt out his name, a football was included as the centrepiece of one tribute, and schoolfriends brought their own bunches of flowers.

A floral tribute from his grandparents simply read: "Goodnight and god bless Rhys."

Flowers also remained yesterday at the nearby Caerphilly Road bridge over the River Ebbw in Bassaleg, where police fought in vain to save Rhys' life as he was pulled out of the waters.

So many mourners attended the church service that some stood at the back of the building, others outside, silently paying their respects.

Reverend Jonathan Williams officiated at the funeral service, and the two hymns The Lord is my Shepherd and Morning Has Broken were sung. Rhys was buried later at Bassaleg Community Cemetery.

Afterwards, Chief Inspector Julian Knight, who represented Gwent Police at the funeral, said: "Friends and family members need to be allowed time and space to grieve."