A COUPLE have paid tribute to their "loving and cheeky" three-year-old daughter who died after fighting bravely against illness.

Ciara Elife Lovett died in Darlington Memorial Hospital last Thursday.

Parents Alan and Fran Lovett, of Wesson Close, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, said their daughter suffered from disabling illnesses.

Mrs Lovett, 39, said: "To us she wasn't disabled, she was a very special person with special needs.

"She was loving, cheeky and she was a fighter - every time she got an illness she would fight it off.

"She was my little ray of sunshine; she was my light and my life."

Mr Lovett, 36, a corporal with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, said: "She was our daughter. She was a lovely little girl, who was very determined. She had a lovely cheekiness about her. Everybody who met her would just smile and fall in love with her.

"She will be missed by everybody who knew her."

The couple have a son, Connor, aged six.

Mr Lovett said they were finding the death of their daughter very stressful.

He said they were taking each day as it came and were being well supported by friends and family.

Flowers and cards of sympathy have been sent from wellwishers.

Ciara attended the Blue Bus Special Needs Crche, in Catterick Garrison.

Mrs Lovett praised the centre, saying: "They brought her on with her development leaps and bounds."

Last year, Ciara began attending the Dales School, in Morton-on-Swale, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

The school provides specialist care for children with learning difficulties.

The couple paid tribute to the doctors and nurses on the children's ward of the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, were Ciara was treated when she became ill.

Mrs Lovett said: "The medical attention was absolutely wonder- ful.

"Even if we just called for advice, they would help."

The precise cause of Ciara's death is unknown.

An inquest was opened and adjourned by the coroner at Crook, County Durham, on Tuesday. He confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.