A BUTTERFLY-themed funeral of a Rossendale girl who died after a long battle with ill health took place yesterday in Burnley.

Severely disabled Georgia Fourie, nine, of Dean Lane, Water, died at the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Friday, March 20, after contracting pneumonia.

The former Holly Grove School pupil, who was born blind and with quadriplegia, cerebral palsy and epilepsy, passed away with her parents at her bedside, with them telling her how much they loved her, on their wedding anniversary.

Her parents decided on a butterfly-themed funeral with balloons and flowers in the shape to make the heart-breaking occasion into a celebration of her life.

Georgia’s mother, Mel Fourie, 35, said: “Georgia was such a special person.”