THE father of tragic Ryan Mason has spoken for the first time about his "lovely little boy".

Paying tribute to his son on the day of the youngster's funeral, Greg Pickup described Ryan as a child of innocence who would not harm a fly.

Ryan's body was found on Great Lever Golf Course on February 13 after an extensive search. The seven-year-old, from Hawker Avenue, Great Lever, had been missing for two days and a post mortem examination revealed he had died from multiple injuries.

His father added: "While I had been separated from Ryan's mum, Lynn Mason, for several years, I continued to see Ryan on Sundays along with the other members of my family in Manchester.

"During his visits, Ryan brought a great deal of joy and happiness to myself, his grandparents and younger sister Chloe, with whom he was particularly close.

"They would happily play together for hours and enjoyed visits to the Wacky Warehouse."

A private funeral service for Ryan was being held at Overdale Crematorium.

Mr Pickup, who lives in Gorton, Manchester, added: "Tending to be shy with strangers, Ryan was extrovert in the company of those who knew and loved him.

"With a strong sense of right and wrong, Ryan would tell Chloe not to stand on insects because 'you shouldn't hurt God's creatures'."

"The void left by Ryan's departure is immeasurable. Ryan was simply a lovely little boy filled with childhood innocence and he will be terribly missed by the members of his family and others who knew him."

"At this tragic time, I would like to thank a series of people for their continued support; Ryan's neighbours in Great Lever for their kind expressions of sympathy and floral tributes; the teachers and staff at Queen Street Primary School in Farnworth, along with his classmates who I was fortunate enough to meet last week, and Greater Manchester Police."

Unemployed Ronald Mariner, aged 22, from Johnson Fold, is awaiting trial accused of Ryan's murder.