A LITTLE girl who died from a rare form of cancer will have a princess-themed funeral next week.

Paris Devlin, five, of Florence Avenue, Burnley, died at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, from neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that affects less than 100 children in the UK each year.

Her devastated family had no idea how ill Paris was as doctors had been unable to diagnose her with the illness for nearly a month.

She had been ill for three weeks when doctors at Burnley General Hospital rushed her to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, where they were told she had the cancer which had spread to her bones, liver, kidneys and lungs.

She died a week later, only three weeks before her sixth birthday.

Paris will be given a princess themed funeral with a horse and carriage. Pink and gold balloons will then be released at the burial on Tuesday at St Teresa's Church in Burnley.

Paris, a pupil at Cherry Fold Primary School, lived with her grandparents, Anthony and Ann Devlin, her mum, Maria, and sisters Toniann, 16, and Marny, two. She also has two other sisters, Carla, 15, and Paige, 14.

Anthony said: "She was our special little princess and that's how we want her to be remembered.

"She loved everything to do with princesses and said she wanted to be one when she was grown up.

"She has been dressed up in a sleeping beauty costume for her burial and will be taken to the church in a horse and carriage. Her coffin will be white with satin inside so it looks like it is for a princess.

"We are also going to release pink and gold balloons at her burial along with some Disney Princess balloons.

"She wanted to have her room done up in a princess theme when she got out of hospital. We are going to do her room up in memory of her so when her little sister Marny, who is two, is old enough she can have the room and will hopefully be reminded of Paris.

"We knew she was very ill but doctors had originally said she could be out of hospital in a few weeks. We never expected her not to come home from hospital.

"We are totally devastated at her death. She was such a happy, bright little girl who was loved by everyone who knew her and she will be missed so much."

Her cousin Corie Forde,12, said: "Paris was always singing and dancing and making people smile. She was so popular and would always have her friends over everyday.

"She was really clever for a five year old and all the teachers would give her certificates for good work and good behaviour."

Paris's aunt, Tina Devlin, thanked friends of the family for their support and the nurses who treated her.

She said: "We have had so much support from everyone and want to say a big thanks to the nurses at the hospital. Some of the nurses have been so upset by her death they have asked to come to the funeral."

Her family have asked for donations to be given to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital instead of flowers. Money can be donated by contacting the hospital or Alderson and Horan funeral services on 01282 427483.

The funeral service will take place at St Teresa's Church in Barracks Road, Burnley, at noon on Tuesday, followed by burial at Burnley Cemetery at 1pm.