A FUNERAL service to celebrate the life of eight-year-old Dana Carroll was held on Friday.

A crowd -- some of whom did not know the courageous youngster but had been touched by her bravery-- gathered at the Sir Robert Peel statue to say farewell to the youngster, described as a "special star" by those who knew her.

Many wore something pink, Dana's favourite colour, to remember the little girl who the Saturday before had lost her 18-month fight against a rare form of bone cancer. She died with her family by her side at her home in Pilling Street, Walshaw.

Heads bowed as a horse-drawn carriage -- carrying the tiny pink coffin and two hearses carrying flowers -- stopped outside Bury Parish Church.

Flowers spelt out Dana Banana, the youngster's nick-name and the words Dana had uttered just half an hour before she died. More flowers were arranged in a star shape and spelled out "What a Star", words often used to describe the youngster.

Firefighters and Dana's 28-year-old brother, David, carried the coffin into the church, followed by her family, children from Dana's school, Elton Primary, and many others who had heard about the little girl and helped raise thousands of pounds to make her last months a "fairytale".

Firefighters at Whitefield and Bury helped raise £10,000 of the total £22,000 to send the little girl and her family, Sharon (33), Dave (57), Daniel (13) and Guy (1), on a luxury holiday to Disneyland Paris and many special days out.

Eternal Flame and Whole Again, singles by Dana's favourite band Atomic Kitten, who she had met just three week before her death, played as people made their way into the church.

A pink Order of Service, decorated with images of Tinkerbell, detailed the youngster's favourite hymns, which were sung. Tributes were published from family, friends and representatives from Dana's school -- including a poem written by David in memory of his sister.

The service was led by the Rev Norman Price, who asked people to put the question of "Why" out of their minds and remember and celebrate the life of a special youngster who "touched everyone she met".

As the horse drawn carriage left for Bury Cemetery, balloons with messages for Dana were let go by her school friends.

Her mum, Sharon, said: "Dana would have loved the number of people who were at the service. We received a bunch of flowers with a message for Dana saying 'We did not know you, but you touched us'."

Dana's brother David said: "It was thanks to the people here that Dana had a very special fairytale last few months. She was a very special little girl."