HUNDREDS of mourners packed in to a Blackburn chapel to say an emotional goodbye to a teenager who died after suffering a fractured skull.

Shannon Aspin, 17, was described as a ‘shining light’ during a service to celebrate her life at Pleasington Cemetery.

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The service was led by Father Gerard Barry from Our Lady of Perpetual Succour RC Church, who encouraged the 400 plus mourners in attendance to remember Ms Aspin as the caring and loving person she was.

He also said Ms Aspin, who worked at a nursery in Blackburn and was due to start an apprenticeship, would always be with them in everything they did.

Father Barry said: “Having celebrated people’s lives in funerals for 26 years I always find each one in their own way sad and happy. But there are some I find overwhelmingly sad and this is one I find overwhelmingly sad. Because we look to a life truly cut short. A life with hope and on the brink of great happiness.

“A person is measured by the effect that they have on others and all of you here are testament to the effect she had on you.”

Father Barry read the passage from the Gospel of John, My Father’s house has many rooms. The Lord’s Prayer was also read out.

Nobody from the Ms Aspin’s family spoke.

Ms Aspin’s coffin was led in to the chapel to Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy and it was led out to Ave Maria, followed by Rachel Platten’s ‘Better Place’.

Once outside the service continued at Ms Aspin’s graveside, where mourners each left a red or white rose.

The service was followed by a wake at Longshaw Sports and Social Club in Bryan Street, Blackburn.

Ms Aspin died on August 2 after being discovered with a fractured skull at a house in St Gabriel’s Avenue, Blackburn, five days earlier. A 21-year-old man from Blackburn was arrested on suspicion of assault prior to her death and has been released on bail until October 21.