A TODDLER who touched the hearts of thousands of well-wishers in East Lancashire has died 10 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

Poppy-Mai Barnard, who was 17-months-old, captured the affection and love of residents online after her parents Andy and Sammi Barnard shared her heartbreaking story on Facebook.

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Yesterday her father Andy Barnard, from the Infirmary area of Blackburn, delivered the sad news his beloved little girl had succumbed to the progressive malignant rhabdoid tumour and brain tumour she was bravely fighting.

Andy, 31, a former Witton High School pupil, said: “Poppy-Mai Indi Barnard, our beautiful princess grew her angel wings this afternoon at 1.16pm.

“She was in my arms with her mummy stroking her head.

“I miss her already. Our princess is now at peace.

“I thought it was the right thing to do to let all of you special people know.

“Thank you all for travelling on our journey with us.”

Despite doctors predicting the youngster had ‘just days to live’ Poppy-Mai was able to spend another two months with her family and create many happy memories.

Her inspirational but tragic story was detailed by her parents on the social media site on ‘The Journal Of Poppy-Mai’.

Thousands of messages of support from all over the world were pledged, with Poppy-Mai’s story touching people of all ages and faiths.

Speaking after the diagnosis, former St Bede’s pupil Sammi, who used to work as a cleaner at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, described Poppy-Mai as ‘vibrant, bright and loving’.

Yesterday, Sammi’s brother, Jonathan Baker said the news, although expected, had ‘broken’ him.

He said: “Although myself and Poppy-Mai’s family knew how ill she was it doesn’t take away the shock and devastation of losing such a beautiful and loving child.

“I was in awe of her, she laughed in the face of cancer for 10 weeks and each and every one of those days gave happy memories to her mum, dad and brothers.

“She’s at peace now, there will be no more pain for her and we all know that she made a difference.

“I know Andy and Sammi would like to acknowledge the support and good wishes from those who contacted them.

“Family, friends and strangers have given them comfort during very dark times.”

As well as her mum and dad Poppy-Mai leaves her doting brothers Rylee, six and Jensen, four.

Thousands of people took to Facebook to pay tribute to the youngster.

Melissa McCullion said: “We all knew this was going to happen but still held on to every tiny bit of hope and believe it or not, I’m still shocked.

“I don’t know about anybody else but I just wasn’t expecting it to happen even though it was inevitable.

“Rest in peace sweet baby, you touched millions upon millions of hearts around the nation and that will never change.”

Carole Davis, licensee of the Clifton Arms pub in Blackburn, said: “Her tiny feet have left a massive footprint behind to all of us who followed the story of this lovely little girl.”

While Lindsey Dickinson posted: “Heaven opened its gates to welcome one of the most precious gifts of life this earth has ever seen.

“You will forever be in the hearts of thousands of people but your journey is far from over until poppy’s field of dreams comes alive you will be locked in my heart forever princess."

Among the special memories formed since her tragic diagnosis, Andy’s RAF colleagues in Thetford in Norfolk organised a princess day for Poppy-Mai, including a make-shift wedding so he could walk her down the aisle like he had always dreamed of.

Haulage company Eddie Stobart named one of their trucks in Poppy-Mai’s honour, painting her name on the lorry’s livery.

And on a visit to Blackburn last month, well wishers lined the streets to show their support as Poppy-Mai’s family passed and the Blackburn Rovers first team squad and manager Paul Lambert made a fuss of her and her brothers during a visit to the training ground.