MOURNERS at the funeral for the little boy described as "the face" of life-limited children's charity Acorns heard he "inspired everyone he met".

Hundreds packed the 12th century St John In Bedwardine Church in St John's, Worcester, yesterday to pay their last respects to 11-year-old Robert Davison.

Robert, who was crippled with a virulent type of cerebral palsy and was a quadriplegic, died on Friday, January 21.

His parents, Sally and Bill, of Worboys Road, St John's, asked mourners to wear bright colours at the funeral to commemorate Robert's "bright, colourful personality".

And so they came, from babes-in-arms to old-age pensioners, with pink hats, yellow scarves and flowery ties.

That mood was captured by the first hymn, Who Put The Colours in the Rainbow?, the favourite of Robert's eight-year-old brother Peter.

Robert's godfather Keith Hart led the tributes, saying it would be wrong to think the funeral represented a life cut short or unfulfilled.

"Doctors said he would live for a couple of years and Robert proved them wrong," he said.

"We had the pleasure of his company for many more years.

"He wanted to be a teacher and he fulfilled that mission because he taught us all what real bravery and courage is."

The Reverend Derek Arnold said Robert's life had been dramatic, ever since his mother needed a police escort to get to hospital to give birth.

"Robert has touched the hearts and inspired all those around him. His brother thought the world of him."

Speaking of the family's campaign, which has seen them raise £80,000 for an Acorns hospice in Worcester, Mr Arnold mentioned their regret that Robert never saw the new building completed.

The second hymn, All Things Bright and Beautiful, ended the service for the boy who his parents said had "the smile of an angel".

As his family left for the committal at Worcester Crematorium, many will have reflected on a line in the first hymn: "Who put the tree inside the acorn?"

Mourners hoped that from Robert's death, the hospice, due to open next month, would flourish and help hundreds like him.