Ricky Hatton funeral procession through Greater Manchester

Thousands are expected to line the streets of Greater Manchester on Friday as the city holds a funeral for former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton, whose cortege will travel from his home area in Tameside to Manchester Cathedral before making a final stop at the Etihad Stadium. The service begins at 12pm at Manchester Cathedral and is by invitation only; the procession will depart the Cheshire Cheese pub in Gee Cross at about 9.45am and take a route of more than 15 miles through locations significant to Hatton's life and career.

The nearly two-hour procession will pause at several sites where supporters can pay their respects, including the Harehill Tavern in Hattersley, the former New Inn on Mottram New Road where his parents ran a pub and a dove release will take place, the gym he founded in Hyde, Hyde Town Hall, Betta Bodies gym in Denton and the AO Arena. After the private memorial at the cathedral, the cortege will proceed to the Etihad Stadium, the club Hatton supported, before moving to a private committal. Greater Manchester Police have said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Hatton's death on September 14.

Hatton, 46, was found at his home in Hyde. The...