AROUND 350 people attended a service yesterday in memory of brave Newport kidney patient Leo Jones.

Four-year-old Leo, who died of a cardiac arrest last week after battling kidney failure from birth, was laid to rest in a Bob the Builder coffin.

Mourners, dressed in brightly coloured clothes, packed out Holy Trinity Church, Christchurch Road, for the service. Reverend Iain Doull described the Ringland tot as “a lovely little boy, full of mischief.”

A tribute from Leo’s mum Katherine Whatley, 29, said: “Leo, having you as my son was an absolute pleasure, you were my ray of sunshine.

"I loved everything about you, no matter how hard things got you would look at me and make everything OK.”

A message from Leo’s sister Sophie, ten, recalled how he loved to sing and dance to his favourite Bob the Builder DVDs.

It read: “We spent most of your life having fun and had so many laughs that will last a lifetime.

“You never let your illness get in the way of us having so much fun together. We are so proud to call you our brother."

Mourners sang Morning Has Broken and Sing Hosanna, before the Alway Primary School pupil’s coffin was carried out to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

In recognition of his love of his hero Bob, the funeral procession was led away from the church by a yellow digger. Family and friends later released 100 balloons, each with a special message attached.

Leo was given just a ten percent chance of survival when he was born with a tumour on his spine, but he defied the odds and was the face of Kidney Wales Walk for Life 2009 to help raise money for other patients.

He touched the hearts of Argus readers who donated more than £3,000 to pay for a special trip to Butlins last Christmas.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: He will be missed

SOME people who might live to be 100 but still make little impression on those they meet.

Little Leo Jones was given a mere four years on this earth yet it is clear that he enhanced the lives of all who came into contact with him.

Yesterday the battling youngster, whose smile illuminated the Argus pages so many times, was laid to rest after losing his lifelong struggle against kidney disease.

Fittingly the funeral service was a celebration of his short life and was filled with symbols of the things he loved.

We send our sincere condolences to Leo's family and the message that despite the brevity of his days he left the world a better place than he found it.