A COMMUNITY has said goodbye to an 11-year-old girl who died after falling on ice outside her school.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Pleasington Cemetery to pay their last respects to St Michael with St John Primary pupil Naeemah Achha.

Naeemah, described as an ‘intelligent and popular’ pupil, died on Friday after slipping on ice in Victoria Street, Blackburn, just yards away from her school.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw joined Naeemah’s family and friends at the service.

The mourners at the cemetery greeted the arrival of Naeemah’s green-velvet covered coffin, passing it along to each other at the entrance to the cemetery’s prayer house, which was filled to capacity.

Prayers were said before the procession made its way to the graveside.

Community leaders said Naeema’s death had affected the whole community.

Hussain Akthar, a former councillor whose grandson is in the same year at the school, said: “It is a shocking and sad event which has upset us all. These are very hard times for her family and they need everyone’s support.”

Coun Salim Mulla said: “The whole community is shellshocked. She was a lovely, bright girl with a wonderful attitude. Her death is a loss to the whole Muslim community.”

Coun Suleman Khonat, who oversees the ward Naeema’s family and school are in, said: “It is a very shocking accident, particularly towards the end of the cold weather.”

Mr Straw said: “It is such a terrible tragedy. The shock of what happened has spread right across Blackburn. The grief of Naeema’s relatives is indescribable.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council has launched an urgent investigation.

One line of inquiry is that she arrived at school early and a member of staff directed her to another entrance, leading her to use the icy pavement.

Michael Lee, leader of the council, said: “I don’t know if that is the case.

"We have not had the full details, but the investigation will be looking into issues such as that.”