THE FUNERAL of the Croydon teenager who died after taking ecstasy was set to take place this morning.

Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, 16, from Addiscombe, died in hospital on January 20 after taking the drug at a warehouse rave in Hayes, west London, two days before.

A youth from Beckenham is one of two believed to have supplied the substance. Ryan Kirk, 20, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs alongside 18-year-old Nicqueel Pitrora, of Croydon, at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday February 5.

Family and friends of Daniel were earlier today to attend a thanksgiving service at Emmanuel Church on Normanton Road, South Croydon in tribute to the young man. A cortege was arranged to pass Archbishop Tenison School on Selborne road for pupils and staff to pay their respects.

Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, 46, said she always thought her son, who had plans to join the Army and later become an English teacher, could “change the world”.

In a moving tribute, she added: “He was just such a fantastic boy and he was such an active part of our lives and we just feel so incredibly blessed to have had him in our lives for getting on for 17 years. He really was special.”