A PRIMARY school is to close as a mark of respect for the funeral of tragic schoolboy Joe Geeling.

Hundreds of pupils and staff from Guardian Angels RC Primary School will attend next Friday's funeral for the 11-year-old, who was stabbed to death on March 1.

The school, which Joe used to attend, will close for the day in tribute.

Mr Dennis Harrison, headteacher of Guardian Angels, said: "The closure is our way, as a faith community, of paying our respects to Joe."

St Gabriel's RC High School, Joe's secondary school, has yet to make a decision on whether it will close for the funeral.

The service will be held at Guardian Angels RC Church in Harvey Street, Elton.

St Gabriel's choir will sing at the ceremony and Father Paul Canon will conduct the mass.

The service will be followed by a private burial at Bury Cemetery from 2pm.

It is believed the cortege will leave from Joe's home in Devon Street at approximately 11.30am, and make its way via Wellington Road, Manchester Road, Jubilee Way, Bolton Street, Crostons Road, Walshaw Road and Fenton Street, to arrive at the church at noon.

The final details have yet to be confirmed.

A number of roads will be closed by police as the cortege makes it way to the church and the cemetery.

The hearse will be escorted by police motorcyclists.

And there will be a lasting legacy to a local charity from Joe's death.

He suffered from cystic fibrosis, and his parents, Tom and Gwen, have asked mourners to send donations in lieu of floral tributes which will be distributed between Bury and District Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Booth Hall Children's Hospital.

Cheques should be made out to the Joe Geeling Trust, care of Unsworth Funeral Service in Cooper Street, Bury.

His parents said: "Joe loved school, football and biking. He could talk to anyone and made a lasting impression wherever he went. Everyone remembers his infectious smile."

Joe's body was discovered in Whitehead Park, Elton.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with Joe's murder and appeared in court.