THE funeral of a schoolboy killed in a horrific holiday car accident will take place today (Thursday).

The cortege carrying tragic six-year-old Akshay Singh Patwal, to the service will leave the family home in Cherry Tree Close, Grays, at 2.30pm.

It will make a brief stop at the Sikh temple in Maidstone Road, before travelling on to Upminster Crematorium.

More than 300 people are expected to attend, including representatives from Akshay's school, Tudor Court Primary in Chafford Hundred.

After the service, mourners will return to the temple for a further service.

Speaking on behalf of Akshay's family, temple president Baldev Singh Gill said: "The family has been very touched by the sympathy and kindness of people from Thurrock and around the country.

"To lose one so young and precious is very sad and the family has appreciated being able to grieve in peace."

Tudor Court headteacher Viv Northall added: "School staff will be attending the service. We have opened a memory book at the school as well.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."

Akshay, who was in remission from cancer, died while on a family holiday in Portugal.

He was in a mini-bus which careered off the road south of Lisbon, before hitting a tree.

His parents Sham and Gurdip Singh-Patwal were following in a hire care and saw the accident in which he was was killed instantly.