SCORES of people lined streets this morning to pay their respects to a brave Basingstoke boy who died on Christmas Eve.

The mourners released red and blue balloons, the colours of Jayden Wilson’s favourite character Spider-Man, as the funeral procession passed them in Beggarwood.

The cortege then made its way to Basingstoke Crematorium for a private funeral.

Jo Jupp, from Beggarwood, was one of those who stood by the roadside.

The 34-year-old said: “I felt it was important that we show our support to him and his family. He was such a smiley boy and we thought it was important to pay our respects.”

Caley North, 40, from Kempshott, added: “The family let us know Jayden’s journey thorugh Facebook and I thought it was important to support them right to the end.”

The little boy inspired people all over the globe after he was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in September 2013, and was given just a year to live.

Those who followed his story on the Hope For Jayden Facebook page vowed to wear something red or blue, or release a balloon into the sky in memory of Jayden today.

Speaking earlier Mike Wilson, Jayden’s dad, told The Gazette: “It’s been overwhelming to see that lots of people have wanted to pay their respects.

“People have said they will wear red or blue, the colours of his favourite character Spider-Man, and Balloons For U, in Pack Lane, are giving half of the proceeds from any Spider-Man balloons sold, to Naomi House Hospice.”

Jayden’s funeral will have a red and blue theme, and feature some of his favourite cartoon theme tunes, as well as school songs which he loved.

It will also feature Spider-Man, who was Jayden’s hero. It was a surprise visit from Spider-Man, on Jayden’s fifth birthday in August last year, which made him an internet sensation.

Mike posted a video on YouTube in November of himself dressed in a replica costume, jumping from the roof of the family’s home to give his son a birthday treat, and since then the clip has been watched by nearly 10 million people.

Mike and Lou, Jayden’s parents, who have a seven-year-old daughter, Ella and are expecting a baby boy in February, have requested that the funeral is a private affair, with just family and very close friends. However, Mike has welcomed the idea of people doing their own tribute to Jayden.

He posted on Hope For Jayden: “Naturally we would love for Jayden’s supporters to be involved. Whether that’s releasing a red or blue balloon or many people have mentioned lining the streets. We simply don’t know what to say, you’re all amazing to think of our family in such a heart-warming way.”

Mike said he was touched that people were so inspired by Jayden, who passed away at home in bed, adding: “We just wanted to share our story, and people have been inspired by that. We want to inspire other families going through the same thing and create some positivity from it.”

Mike, who is a member of the world-famous 3RUN group, has now vowed to raise money in his son’s honour, and is creating a dedicated Spider-Man film for Jayden in aid of Naomi House Children’s Hospice, in Sutton Scotney.

The film is set to be released in a few months, and the more views it receives, the more it will raise for charity.

Posting on the Hope For Jayden page, Jayden’s family added: “With more than 45,000 followers, we can’t thank you all enough for being there throughout his journey. We hope you continue to support the family in many fundraising events planned for 2015 in Jayden’s honour.”