FAMILY, friends and patients gathered on Tuesday to say farewell to a popular family doctor.

More than 200 people listened to the poignant service on Tuesday to remember GP Dr Dawn Harris from Holcombe Brook, Ramsbottom.

The 38-year-old was found hanged on August 3 by her husband Michael Churchill at their home in Aviemore Close. It is believed the "perfectionist" took her own life because she feared she could not do enough for her patients.

Dr Harris worked at Bury's Minden Medical Centre in 1995 under the guidance of local doctors Derek and Patricia Fletcher. She moved on a year later to a practice in Bolton where she had one of the largest patient registers.

Doctors from both practices were among the mourners at her funeral at Overdale Crematorium.

The congregation heard how Dr Harris had gained a scholarship to attend Withington Girls Grammar School before going on to study medicine at St Andrews University and Manchester University.

After graduating, she worked as a junior doctor at Bury and Fairfield General Hospitals then started her career as a family GP.

Minister Beryl Allerton said Dr Harris was a home-maker who was just as creative as she was intelligent. Dr Harris had met Michael at university. They married a few years later and went skiing for their honeymoon, something which Dawn came to love. Holidays were a passion of Dr Harris and a trip to Africa, won by her parents and given to the couple, started a love affair with the continent.

Ladysmith Blackmambazo's Homeless song, sung by an African choir, was played during the service.

After readings from Michael and her father, Robert Harris, said through the Minister, Dr Harris's sister Diana, a cancer specialist nurse, read a poem about growing up together, in which she pledged she would "live Dawn's life for her". She said she was a fantastic auntie to her two sons.

The hymn, Father Hear The Prayer We Offer, was sung and colleague Dr Chris Wakefield read extracts from letters he had been sent from patients.

Many flowers were left outside the chapel. A heart-shaped floral tribute was left by her father with a red ribbon wrapped around it saying 'My Creamy Whirl'. A message read: "Miss you so much Dawn, lots and lots of love, Daddy, Sylvia, Dave and Ann."

Her mum's message simply read: "God Bless, darling sleep peacefully, mummy."

Sister Diana's message said: "Thank you for being such a fantastic big blister and friend, will miss you always."

Many poems written especially for Dr Harris by patients were left, some attached to single red roses.

Donations in memory of Dr Harris should be made to Bolton Breatheasy Group and forwarded to Silletts Funeral Service, Spring Lane, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 2TQ.