A CELEBRATION of the life of a Southampton teenager fatally stabbed as he walked home from a night out will take place today.

Hundreds of Lewis Singleton's friends are expected to join his family at the funeral service to say their last goodbyes.

The 18-year-old died hours after being stabbed in Obelisk Road, Woolston, on March 31. Roads were cordoned off while police carried out house to house inquiries.

Police chiefs in the city also introduced temporary emergency powers which enabled them to stop and search vehicles and people in a bid to curb the growing knife culture.

Lewis, a Saints fan who loved MC'ing, had been playing snooker with friends hours before the attack, in which he suffered wounds to his stomach.

Days after his death, Lewis's friends helped the Daily Echo launch a campaign aimed at getting blades off the streets.

Schools across the city have also pledged to take a stand against knife crime.

The funeral service will take place at Holy Trinity Church, in Weston Lane, Weston, at 1pm.

There is expected to be standing room only as scores of young people turn out for the emotional farewell.

The service will be followed by a committal at Southampton Crematorium.

Flowers or donations to the British Heart Foundation should be sent to B Matthews, Funeral Directors, in Portsmouth Road, Woolston.