The distraught parents of hit and run victim Rebecca Sawyer said a heartbreaking farewell to their daughter yesterday.

Around 300 mourners packed into a tiny church to pay a last tribute the tragic six-year-old.

The red haired youngster died and her sister Kirsty, 20 months, was left fighting for her life when a stolen car driven by Ian Carr, 27, smashed into the family's Citroen Saxo on New Year's Eve.

They were being driven home by their father Steven, 33, when the speeding Vaxhall Astra jumped a red light and ploughed into them.

Postman Mr Sawyer, bleeding from severe facial injuries, tried desperately to help the girls and was found staggering around the wreckage screaming: "Someone please help us."

His tribute to Rebecca was perhaps the most poignant of all.

On a spray of pink and white flowers he wrote the message: "Becs my little princess, I still tuck you in bed and kiss you goodnight sweetheart and I always will, so never forget your Daddy loves you. Keep on singing and dancing. Watch over your sister sweetheart, love Daddy."

Another card from both parents read: "To Becca, you lit up the whole room when you smiled, you were always a happy go lucky little girl. We will never forget what a brave little girl you were. Night night. from Mummy and Daddy."

Teachers, police officers, nurses and postmen were among mourners who lined the streets as the small white coffin arrived at St John's Church, Ashington, Northumberland.

The girls' mum Sharon, 33, clung to her husband and both wept uncontrollably as the coffin was taken into the church, with a pall bearer carrying a picture of the youngster walking in front.

Rev David Palmer led the tributes, with Robbie Williams' song Angels ringing out as the mourners entered the church.

But the most moving moment of the service came during a time of reflection when a recording of Rebecca singing, made just weeks before her death, rang out in the church.

After the 25 minute service Rebecca's favourite song One Step Closer by S Club Juniors was played as her coffin was carried out to the cemetery just yards away.

The family had asked that donations were made to two hospitals instead on flowers.

But tributes from the family included a pink and white teddy bear in chrysanthemums and the name Becca in pink and whate flowers from her mum and dad.

Staff at Wansbeck Hospital who treated the family after the fatal crash and officers who dealt with the case were among those who paid their respects.

After burying their daughter Sharon and Peter were returning to Newcastle General Hospital where Kirsty is now thankfully recovering slowly after an emergency operation following the smash.

The family no longer face the heartache of having to return to court after Ian Carr, the driver of the stolen Vauxhall Astra, which jumped a red light and caused the crash, pleaded guilty to his crimes.

He is awaiting sentence after admitting causing rebecca's death by danegrous driving and a string of other driving offences.

Carr had 89 previous convictions, including being jailed in 1990 after he smashed a stolen car and left his best friend Mark Wren, 16, to die by the side of the road.