COURAGEOUS Justine Hargreaves this week lost her battle with cancer - but has left a Mummy Manual to steer her five children through life.

The moving legacy includes advice telling the youngsters to always support each other, give each other lots of hugs and not to worry if they make mistakes.

The special book is accompanied with a memory box filled with mementoes of treasured times together so the youngsters never forget how much she loved them.

Justine, 38, of Chester Street, Accrington was given just six months to live in June last year when cervical cancer returned, but friends said she fought on for her children.

Her death, late on Sunday, leaves Jade, 17, Sam, 10, Nathaniel, nine and six-year-old twins Coral and Crystal without parents.

Yesterday Jade paid tribute to her mum saying she was the “proudest daughter in the world”.

Justine’s sister Jannine Hargreaves and her partner Shaun Richardson will now look after the youngsters, along with their children Lloyd, 12, and Lacey, 10 months.

The last four years saw Justine, who grew up in Oswaldtwistle, face bankruptcy and homelessness in the wake of her partner’s death.

Since her diagnosis friends have led a ‘Help Justine’ campaign as she attempted to plan for her children’s future without her.

So far £20,000 has been raised, which will be used to help pay towards bringing up the children.

Speaking on behalf of the family, including Justine’s mum Eileen, best friend Victoria Tierney said: “She was such a brave, brave woman and we know that she kept going for the love of her children.

“At the moment we are all very sad but we now need to put in place all of Justine’s wishes for her funeral and for her children’s future.

“She was a wonderful mother and a wonderful person.

“She had tremendous support in the campaign and that gave her strength.

“This is a difficult time, especially for the little children.”

On the Help Justine website on Facebook daughter Jade posted her tribute.

She said: “I love you so much and I'm the proudest daughter in the world to have this strong fighter in my life. An inspiration to everyone who knew my mum. I love you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”.

Other tributes included from Deb Callow: “R.I.P Justine. God has taken one perfect lady to be his latest angel, my thoughts are with your beautiful children and family.”

Emma Cannon said: “RIP Justine hun....sleep tight. You were such an amazing person who touched many people. You are going to be sadly missed by many. My thoughts go out to your family.”

Eileen Taylor said: “So sad to have lost Justine. Such a very special, brave friend. Always ready to chat and listen. Jean and I will miss you so much. R.I.P.”

Victoria ran Help Justine and she said the fundraising gave her friend something positive to focus on.

Justine was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2007 a year after her partner Stuart Davis, the father of her children, died.

Mr Davis killed himself after hiding crippling debts from the family, which left them facing losing their home in Seathwaite Way, Huncoat.

After support from the Lancashire Telegraph, Hyndburn Homes found a new property for the family in Chester Street, Accrington and she was told by doctors that she had beaten the cancer.

But last year she found out the cancer had returned and had spread.

Victoria said that Justine was surrounded by her family when she died at 11.50pm on Sunday.

Justine’s funeral will see a service take place at Great Harwood Spiritualist church on Friday before burial at Accrington Cemetery. There will be a wake at the bowling club in Burnley Road, Accrington. No times have been finalised for the day.

Donations of flowers will be accepted but the family is also encouraging donations to the Help Justine campaign for the future of her children.