Hundreds are paying their respects as the funeral of Father Dermott Donnelly in the North East is due to start in the next few minutes.

His brother, Declan Donnelly and best friend, Ant are among those at St Mary's Church in Newcastle today as the funeral takes place.

LIVE: Family and friends pay last respects to Father Dermott Donnelly - updates

On social media, thousands have been paying their own tributes to a "wonderful man and priest" in the weeks following his death.

And now, the church has set up a live stream which you can follow below to watch the funeral as it happens.

See it here: 

Ahead of the service, the church had issued a reminder to those wishing to pay their respects.

Father Dermott’s family have requested that rather than attending the service at the Cathedral itself, that people use the alternative spaces both in-person and virtually that have been provided by the church.

An earlier statement from the family said: “Due to limited space in the Cathedral, we would encourage those who wish to participate in the Requiem Mass on Friday, July 29 to gather at St Michael’s Church, Westmorland Road, where the Mass will be live-streamed and Holy Communion will be made available.

“Following the Requiem Mass, Fr Dermott’s cortège will pass St Michael’s for those who wish to pay their respects.”

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