MOURNERS packed into a village church yesterday to pay their respects to a devoted mother- of-three who collapsed and died while out with friends.

Joanne Sayers, 25, who was described as gorgeous, hard-working and reliable, was laid to rest next to her son, following a moving service in St Thomas Church, Harelaw, near Stanley, County Durham.

Miss Sayers died after collapsing in the Coach and Horses public house, in Consett, County Durham, on Sunday, April 12.

A former nurse, a doorman, police and paramedics all tried to save her.

Miss Sayers, who is believed to have suffered from a heart condition, was with friends Lisa “Rocky” Robinson and Dawn Hancock at the time.

She leaves three children Leah, five, Drew, four, and one-year-old Dale, who will all be cared for by her partner of two years, Dale Ross, 39, of Blackhill, Consett.

Yesterday, about 100 people filled the church – many walking from the neighbouring village of Catchgate, where Miss Sayers lived.

Mourners lined the pavement, before following her pink coffin into the church.

The Right Reverend Gary Burchall said: “There will be many friends here today who have spent time with Joanne as children, teenagers and adults.

He added: “She will be dearly missed.”

Miss Sayers, of Maple Terrace, Catchgate, was born in Consett and attended Catchgate Primary School and Greencroft School.

The daughter of John and Elizabeth, she had two younger brothers John and Nick.

In 2004, Miss Sayers gave birth to twins Leah and Jake. Jake died when he was only four weeks old.

She went on to have Drew and Dale.

Rev Burchall said: “Joanne met Dale at Christmas in 2006. I am told it was a kind of a blind date.

When she first met him she said to her friends ‘I do not do golden oldies’.

“But, quite obviously, she was not put off and they have been together since. Baby Dale was their delight and joy.”

When asked to describe Joanne, her partner, Dale, said she was cheeky, gorgeous, hardworking, reliable, giving and sharing.

He said she was a friend of everyone, fashionable, trendy, and confident and always put the children first.

Friends and family reflected on her life to a song Miss Sayers played constantly – Use Somebody by the Kings of Leon.