Ricky Hatton's funeral procession route in full - interactive map shows where you can watch it

The near two-hour, more than 15 mile journey will take in numerous local landmarks which held importance in Ricky's life and career

There will be poignant scenes across Greater Manchester as the region pays its respects to one of of its favourite sons.

The funeral of Boxing legend Ricky Hatton is taking place today (Friday October 10), following his shock death last month aged 46.

Thousands of people are expected to pay their respects to the much-loved world champion, who was born in Stockport and who was raised and lived in Tameside.

His funeral service is being held at Manchester Cathedral at 12 noon. Attendance is by invitation only.

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However, beforehand his hearse is set to make a nearly two-hour journey from Gee Cross, where he lived, to Manchester city centre.

Covering more than 15 miles, the cortege will stop at and pass numerous landmarks and locations which were pivotal in Ricky's life.

Its first stop will be one of his local pubs, The Cheshire Cheese on Stockport Road in Gee Cross, at around 9:45am.

It will then head to the Harehill Tavern, in nearby Hattersley, where Ricky grew up.

You can view the procession route on our interactive map below, click here if it fails to load.

After there, it will head to the site of the former New Inn pub, on Mottram New Road, which Ricky's parents once ran and where they built him a boxing gym in the basement. Here, there will be a dove release.

It will then pass through Hyde town centre pausing at the gym he founded, now called Energie Fitness Hyde Ricky Hatton, which was officially opened by Muhammad Ali in 2009.

The procession will then head to Denton and pass Betta Bodies gym, where Ricky often trained during his career.

It will then head down Hyde Road and into the city centre. It will pass the AO Arena, previously known as the M.E.N Arena, and which was the venue for some of his greatest fights, including his memorable win over Kostya Tszyu to first become world champion in 2005.

It will then arrive at Manchester Cathedral ahead of the funeral service at 12 noon.

Following the service, expected to finish around 1pm, at around 1:15pm, the cortège will leave the Cathedral with Ricky making one final trip to the Etihad Stadium where he fought in 2009 and where he spent countless afternoons watching his beloved Manchester City.

Members of the public are invited to line the memorial route to pay their respects.

The route in full

• Procession leaves at 9:45 am from The Cheshire Cheese, Stockport Road, Gee Cross, Hyde
• Head in direction of The Grapes Hotel, Mottram Old Road
• Left onto Underwood Road (Hattersley)
• Left onto Hattersley Road East and Hattersley Road West
• Pause at the Harehill Tavern
• Right onto Underwood Road, left onto Stockport Road, then onto roundabout and first left onto Mottram Road
• Pause atThe New Inn for dove release
• Left onto Union Street, Hyde. Left onto Market Street
• Pass Hatton's Gym, all the way round the small roundabout.
• Pause at Hatton's Gym
• Pass: Hyde Town Hall
• Continue down Manchester Road, Hyde Road to Crown Point (Denton)
• Pass Betta Bodies Gym
• On to Denton roundabout, down Manchester Road and Hyde Road, Gorton. Right onto Devonshire Street North.
• On to Chancellor Lane, then Pin Mill Brow, Great Ancoats Street and the city centre Ring Road.
• Pass the AO Arena
• Left onto A6042 Ring Road, left onto Great Ducie Street Bear right onto Chapel Street
• Left onto Victoria Bridge Street Left onto Victoria Street
• Arrive at Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral to Etihad Stadium

• Start: Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street
• Right onto Victoria Bridge Street
• Left onto Chapel Street, Right onto Blackfriars Road
• Right onto Trinity Way (pass AO Arena), Right at lights on Trinity Way
• Left onto Corporation Street. Follow onto Angel Street
• Continue onto Addington Street.
• Right onto Oldham Road
• Left onto Great Ancoats Street Left onto Pollard Street
• Continue onto Merrill Street and Ashton New Road
• Left to arrive at Etihad Stadium

The Manchester Evening News has joined forces with the Daily Star as we campaign to continue Ricky's legacy regarding men's mental health.

Following his death we're raising funds for Andy's Man Club and the Campaign Against Living Miserably, two charities that were very close to the former world champion's heart. You can find out more information and donate HERE.

A new charity has also been set up in his name. The Ricky Hatton Foundation has pledged to carry his ‘spirit forward’ by backing 'those facing their own fights with mental illness’ and 'ensuring that no one ever has to face those battles alone'.