THE family of little Amy Allen, who died of Batten's disease, will say farewell to their "little star" this weekend.

Mother Debbie, husband Ste and their two other children will lay the nine-year-old's ashes to rest beneath a tree at Derian House in Chorley where she died in September.

Amy bravely battled the disease for more than six years but tragically passed away two days after her mother's birthday a few weeks ago.

Her battle against the rare degenerative disease which affects one child in 30,000 caught the imagination of the local community and fundraisers worked tirelessly to bring happiness to the little girl's life.

Her five-year-old brother Jack and seven-year-old sister Katee said they keep the thought that she is a "star in the sky looking down on them".

Debbie, of Southworth Street, Blackburn, said: "Amy was very poorly in June and we were a little bit more prepared for the worst. But when we left Amy at Derian house for a little respite care that weekend, the shock was unbearable.

"She died in no pain and she was in the place she loved most with all her friends. She was a real girl who loved all the pampering of baths and treatments so we know she was very happy."

A star is named after Amy after an application five years ago to the central star register and a map of the galaxy shows where it is.

"The children are very resilient but when they think of Amy now they can remember the star. She was our little angel in the sky and at night time the children say she is watching them."

But the last six weeks coping with the tragic loss has been a tear-filled rollercoaster.

Debbie said: "The hardest thing for me is filling the gaps of time. She needed round the clock care and now I have spare time I never had.

"It will be very traumatic but we want her laid to rest for Christmas while we come to terms with the fact that she is not coming home.

"Amy was just Amy. You knew when she was happy or sad and she cried if she was in pain. She was a real fighter and she crammed a lot in to a short life. I must say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who knew Amy."

Amy attended the Dame Evelyn Fox special school in Blackamoor and Newfield special school.

Staff at the Ivy pub, Infirmary Street, Blackburn, have raised thousands of pounds for the appeal and are holding an evening fundraising event on Saturday in Amy's memory.