A FOUR-YEAR-OLD girl who won the hearts of the region last year with her brave battle against cancer has died.

Emily Guiney seemed to be on the mend after her parents gambled on surgery.

In a risky operation just before Christmas, doctors removed 95 per cent of a malignant tumour from the base of her brain - originally diagnosed as inoperable.

However, she fell ill last Wednesday and was taken to hospital near her home in Ayrshire where she slipped into a coma.

After a subsequent examination revealed Emily was unlikely to regain consciousness, mum Caroline Black opted to take her home.

She died soon afterwards with her family around her.

Grandmother Maggie Guiney, who lives in Richmond, said knowing Emily had been happy over the last few months of her life was a comfort to them all.

Even recently, she was still talking about her trip to Disneyworld in October, where she met Mickey Mouse and swam with dolphins.

The cost of the holiday for the whole family was covered by an appeal launched in the region by Mrs Guiney last September, which raised an incredible £10,000 in just three weeks.

"We would all like to thank everyone who contributed once again," said Mrs Guiney.

"At least we can remember a brave little girl with a bright smile and we can say we have some happy memories to look back on."