Mourners in pink for final farewell

Parents Carmen and Lee Cox, of Ellenshaw Close, Darwen, also arranged for a horse-drawn carriage to take their daughter to the funeral so she could be the centre of attention for one last time.

The couple said they wanted to give their daughter - who they described as a "drama queen" - the "best send-off" after she courageously fought a four-year battle with cancer.

Bubbly Cheri-Lee, who died last Monday in Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, had spoken to her friends about how she wanted to be buried and yesterday they made sure her wishes were granted.

Cheri-Lee, a pupil at Darwen Moorland High School, told her close pals that she wanted to be buried in her favourite knee-high boots, mini skirt and black top, with straightened hair and make-up.

The funeral procession left her home, which she shared with her parents, two sisters and brother, and slowly made its way to St Peter's Church, Darwen, which was packed both upstairs and down with mourners and well-wishers.

Family members bought flowers spelling out "Chez" - Cheri-Lee's nickname - floral displays in the shape of handbags and a teddy bear, and "Babe" in pink and white flowers from her close friends and during the service people remembered her as some of her favourite songs were played.

The Rev David Woodall said: "Cheri-Lee always had a smile. She had a great love of dancing and music and liked being with her family and friends."

Mum Carmen said: "We chose to play 'Cherry Oh Baby' by UB40 which was a song we liked before she was born and which she was named after." Other songs played were 'You're A Superstar' by Love Inc. and the service was ended with Green Day's 'Time of Your Life'.

Cheri-Lee died four years after first being diagnosed with a soft tissue cancer.

The cancer came back eight more times and Cheri-Lee had to undergo seven months of chemotherapy.

The funeral service was followed by a burial in Darwen Cemetery.