A BALLOON release was held to honour the inspirational Chris Carberry following his funeral service.

Chris' death at the age of 24, after a monumental four-and-a-half year battle with the bone cancer, osteosarcoma, led to a flood of tributes to an inspirational young man.

Restrictions on funeral services because of coronavirus meant the amount of people attending the service inside St Helens Crematorium today had to be limited to a small number of family and friends.

But the public still found a way to show Chris how much he was loved and admired, lining the streets of his home village of Rainford and the approaches to the crematorium in Windle – while spaced apart – to form a guard of honour.

Dozens remained outside while the service was held to witness a balloon release outside in honour of Chris afterwards.

People gathered in the sunshine outside as a heartbreaking poem, written by Chris' sister Laura was read and a small number of red, white and blue balloons were let go into the sky.

Warm applause rang out as they soared upwards.