Funeral held for 12-year-old Archie Battersbee who was at centre of legal battle

The coffin of Archie Battersbee is brought into St Mary’s Church, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, ahead of his funeral (Joe Giddens/ PA)

The life of Archie Battersbee, who was at the centre of a legal battle between his parents and a hospital, has been celebrated at a funeral service featuring videos of him singing and performing gymnastics.

The 12-year-old’s life support was withdrawn on August 6 after his parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, failed in bids to overturn a British High Court ruling that doctors could lawfully do so.