THE mother of a teenager who died after a car crash has said she does not know how she will be able to live without her.

Carry Ann Brown died last month after a car crash on the M6. The teenager was in the vehicle with her father who has since been charged with the rape and murder of his daughter.

Yesterday almost 100 mourners gathered at St Theresa's RC Church in Blackburn to pay their last respects.

Speaking at the funeral her mother Tracy Brown, 34, said: "She was my only daughter and I always loved her.

"I want to let everyone know what a pretty girl she was and what a lovely dancer and singer she was.

"She will always be in my heart for ever and I will not let anyone take that away from her."

Prior to the service, at the Bentley Street church where Carry Ann was christened and confirmed, Tracy said: "I feel I can't live without her.

"I miss her so much, she was such a lovely girl. She used to come and cuddle me every morning and I really miss her in the mornings."

Carry Ann, a pupil at Darwen Vale High School, was fatally injured in a car crash on August 14.

She had been driven from her foster parents' home in the Whitebirk area of Blackburn by her father, Sean Brown, 35.

Following the crash she was taken to Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, where she was kept on a life support machine. It was switched off a few days later after an agreement with the hospital and the family solicitors.

Father Paul Taylor yesterday told the congregation that he prayed the service would bring peace to Carry Ann and comfort to her family after weeks of waiting, difficulties and pain.

The service was followed by a burial service at Pleasington Cemetery.

Floral tributes for Carry Ann included 'daughter', an angel and a rabbit. The card on a tribute from Tracy read: "Carry Ann you were so special. I will never stop thinking of you.

"You were my only daughter. I'm sorry you had to go. Your life was too short but we had some good times together. All my love, your loving mother."