"I FEEL extremely privileged to have been his mum."

These are the heartfelt words of the mum of youngster Theo Hixon-Denton, who said goodbye to her son at a funeral service in Southampton yesterday.

Close friends and relatives of the popular 11-year-old gathered at Southampton Crematorium before heading to a memorial service to celebrate the youngster's life, at Peartree Church, near his family home in Bitterne.

The Woolston School Language College pupil died from head injuries after being hit by a car near the recreation ground in Sholing where he had been skateboarding with friends.

In a statement for the Daily Echo, Theo's mum Julia Hixon said the whole family were devastated by their loss.

"Theo was a funny, kind, cheeky and mischievous little boy - a typical eleven-and-a-half-year-old," she said.

"Being the youngest in our family he was becoming quite independent since starting secondary school.

"He loved going out to play with his brother, cousins and friends.

"He made the most out of his short life having lots of fun in the process. He was a fantastic son, brother and grandson who enriched all of our lives with his infectious laughter and personality.

"We all miss him dreadfully. I feel extremely privileged to have been his mum."

Theo lived with his mum Julia, elder sister Lydia and brother Louis in Bitterne and was formerly a pupil of Ludlow Infant and Junior School.

Following the news of his death the Daily Echo was flooded with messages from people who knew Theo.

Acting head teacher of Woolston School Language College, Bernadette Hanly said the school was in shock and pupils had been offered bereavement counselling over the loss of their "friend and pupil".

"We will all remember Theo as a boy who was full of fun and enjoyed life," she said.

Instead of sending flowers, Theo's family asked that people made donations to the paediatric department of Southampton University Hospital's NHS Trust, through Jonathon Terry Independent Funeral Directors in Bitterne.

n A 19-year-old man was arrested by police after the incident and has been released on police bail until January 31.