A minute's applause for Bradley Lowery: Stars of six-year-old's favourite team pay tribute to the football-mad cancer sufferer after he passes away in the arms of his 'heartbroken' parents

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The moving sound of applause rang out before the Bury v Sunderland match this evening as thousands of fans paid tribute to six-year-old Bradley Lowery who died this afternoon.

The schoolboy passed away in his parents' arms today after battling neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer.

In his short life, the Sunderland fan earned the love and admiration of millions worldwide and raised more than £1million through his charity Bradley's Fight.

His bereft mother Gemma revealed on Bradley's Facebook page that her son had died at 1.35pm, writing: 'My brave boy has went with the angels today, in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family. He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed else where.

'There are no words to describe how heart broken we are. Thank you everyone for all your support and kind words. Sleep tight baby boy and fly high with them angels'.

His courageous spirit won him a legion of fans including football stars and celebrities alike. He struck a close bond with England and former Sunderland striker Jemain Defoe, who called Bradley his 'best mate' and said he is 'heartbroken' today.