FAMILY and friends of little girl who died from a rare form of cancer gathered to say farewell to their princess'.

One hundred well wishers packed into St Teresa's RC Church yesterday to pay their respects to Paris Devlin, five, of Florence Avenue, Burnley.

Paris died on August 18, shortly after being diagnosed with neuro-blastoma, a rare cancer which affects fewer than 100 children in the UK each year.

The horse-drawn hearse completed the journey from the youngster's home to the church, topped with flowers and balloons bearing the word princess'.

A teddy bear and angel shaped bouquet sat either side of the small, white coffin.

Paris's coffin was carried into the church as people supported family members who could not hold back their tears.

After the hymn, This little light of mine', Father Brian Kealey said: "Today is an immensely sad day and no amount of kind or clever words can get us away from the tragedy of a beautiful child who is dead at such an early age.

"She was the princess of her family who brought joy and laughter in the homes of all who loved her. Although this princess had a short life she nevertheless had a full life."

The Cherry Fold Primary School pupil had been ill for three weeks but was diagnosed with cancer only a week before she died.

She leaves grandparents, Anthony and Ann Devlin, her mum, Maria, and sisters Toniann, 16, and Marny, two. She also has two other sisters, Carla, 15, and Paige, 14.

Father Kealey said: "There is the challenge of living without the laughter and the joy of this angel. The scars will never fully heal, however if you truly love this child, now is the time to show it. And when you eventually meet up in heaven she will recognise you."

Mourners filed out to the strains of Puff Daddy's I'll be missing you.' Paris's coffin was then taken to her final resting place at Burnley Cemetery.