A TRAGIC North-East family have said farewell to their little angel.

Heartbroken family and friends of Catherine Readshaw filled All Saints RC Church, in Ferryhill, County Durham, for her funeral on Saturday.

They were determined not to mourn the loss of the ten-year-old cancer victim but to celebrate her life.

From the age of seven, when she was diagnosed with leukaemia, Catherine's courageous three-and-a-half year battle with the illness inspired everyone she met.

She touched the lives of school friends, neighbours and the North-East community which has been rocked by the loss of a third child for parents Iain and Marie Readshaw.

The small white coffin being carried into the church was a chilling reminder of the death of siblings Anne-Marie, in 2001, and Daniel, last year, who both died at the age of 13 after swimming pool tragedies.

Mr and Mrs Readshaw have two other daughters, Nicole and Rachel.

Catherine spent the last ten days of her life at home surrounded by her loved ones, who held two parties for the youngster. She died peacefully in her sleep last Sunday.

During the funeral service, Nicole read a touching eulogy to her sister, saying: "Catherine was a fighter. She fought for three-and-a-half years just to reach her dream to fight cancer and to walk again. Every time she was in a room she filled it full of joy and happiness. Even when she was ill she still tried to light up the room. A word that gets used often for Catherine is 'she is truly inspirational' and she was and I loved her very much."

Inside the church, the youngster's caring and playful nature was recalled on a collage compiled by classmates at St Charles RC Primary School, Tudhoe, to pay tribute to their late friend.

The display of make-up, dolls, flowers and fashion accessories was their way of saying a poignant goodbye to a "groovy girl" and "brave and inspirational friend".

The family's inconceivable loss has seen an outpouring of sympathy from across the country.

One national newspaper referred to them as Britain's most tragic family, yet grandfather Joe Conroy said on Saturday they considered themselves lucky to have known and loved Anne-Marie, Daniel and Catherine.

Parish priest Fr Brian Murphy said: "As sadly we already know, the family's strength, faith and love for one another will help them through this."

The requiem mass was followed by interment at Chilton Cemetery.