'I love you precious daddy': Daughter's heartbreaking goodbye as dad Barry Armstrong is laid to rest

Barry Armstrong died after the car he was in smashed into a house on Chichester Road in South Shields last month

A young daughter hailed her dad as her 'hero' as hundreds of friends and family gathered to pay their respects to the 'loving' and 'popular' Barry Armstrong.

Mourners packed out South Shields Crematorium to say goodbye to the 25-year-old, who was also known as Barry Sutton, on Friday.

Barry was pronounced dead at the scene when the car he was in smashed into a house on Chichester Road, South Shields, on January 24.

Tributes to Barry adorned the side of his coffin which was carried into the chapel to the sound of Every Breath You Take by The Police.

Leading the tributes was his precious little girl, Scarlett, and there was not a dry eye in the room when her heartfelt poem was read out.

It read: "Remembering you is easy, my mammy will tell you every day.

"I love you precious daddy, in every single way.

"So fly high with the angels, as it's time to say goodbye.

"I wave to you every night, to the brightest star in the sky.

"My hero, my daddy, your daughter I'll always be,

"Forever in my heart, I'll keep you always with me.

"Love you daddy. From your blue-eyed girl, Scarlett."

Tears mixed with laughter at Barry's funeral, where mourners were asked to wear an item of baby blue, as happy memories of the cheeky chap were shared.

Barry, of South Shields, was born on October 30, 1994, to parents Janine and Barry.

He melted the heart of his mum when he was placed into her arms for the very first time.

Football-mad Barry was a family man and grew up alongside younger brothers Conner and Jordan.

He was popular at school where he attended Marsden Primary before Whitburn and was a regular in the school football team.

Barry always had a close relationship with his mum and no matter how much he wound her up, she could not resist his cheeky smile.

Kim Thompson, who conducted the service, said: "Barry loved to be with his family, especially his mam. He was like her shadow.

"Janine's relationship with Barry and the lads, well, it wasn't just mam and son - she was their best friend who could talk to her about anything and everything.

"When he got into trouble Janine would go to ground Barry, but as soon as he flashed that cheeky smile of his with dimples, well she never could so he got away with all sorts.

"He was always at his happiest when he was having a laugh with his mates and family."

After leaving school the well-known lad had his heart set on becoming a football coach for young children. He played in the local league football for Whitburn and Felling.

Unfortunately this did not materialise and he later applied for the army but was left 'absolutely gutted' when he was turned down on medical grounds.

For the past four or five years he was working at Calsonic Kansei, which has sites in both  Sunderland and Washington, where colleagues described him as a 'smashing lad' who 'always made an impression'.

Other music played during the service included Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran and Jealous Of The Angels by Donna Taggart.

Barry's life changed forever when he met his fiancée Chloe after originally chatting to her on dating app Tinder.

Soon after came his daughter Scarlett, who he doted on.

Ms Thompson said: "Barry was like the cat that got the cream. He adored Chloe, they adored each other.

"Barry and Chloe's relationship was getting stronger and stronger by the day. They just didn't want to be apart.

"There could be no prouder dad. He was ecstatic.

"He loved watching Disney films with Scarlett. For all he hated reading, their special moment together was Barry reading to his little girl a bedtime story.

"He was a proper family mam. Chloe and Scarlett were his whole world."

Police are still investigating the crash, which happened on Chichester Road at around 4.15am on January 24.

A woman and a man, who were passengers in the car, suffered serious injuries.

Nobody inside the house was injured but significant damage was caused to the building.

Later that day an 18-year-old man was arrested as part of the investigation but he was later released. He is now being treated as a witness.

A 20-year-old man has been interviewed under caution in relation to a communications offence following this incident and will be summonsed to appear before court on a future date.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 85 24/01/20 or via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.