Farewell to the People's Champion: Ricky Hatton's funeral in Manchester

Manchester is bidding a final farewell to one of its most loved sporting heroes today as two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton is laid to rest, with thousands expected to line the streets to reflect on his life and times.Hatton, a popular, larger-than-life character who unified the light-welterweight division and also won a world welterweight title, was found dead aged 46 at his home in Hyde on September 14.The funeral cortege departed from the Cheshire Cheese pub - Hatton's local - on Stockport Road in Hyde at 9.45am and will travel to Harehill Tavern before doves are released in Hatton's honour at The New Inn.And in a nod to Hatton's love of BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses, his yellow Reliant Robin van formed part of the cortege, transported on a low-loader trailer.Mourners waved Manchester City flags emblazoned with 'there's only one Ricky Hatton' as the cortège drove by the Cheshire Cheese.