FAMILY, friends and patients gathered to say an emotional farewell to a popular Bury doctor.

More than 200 people listened to the poignant service on Tuesday to remember GP Dr Dawn Harris, aged 37, who died on August 3.

Her husband, Michael Churchill, found her hanging at their home in Holcombe Brook. He believes she took her life because she feared she could not do enough for her patients.

Dr Harris had worked at Lever Chambers, in Bolton town centre, since 1996. Previously she worked as a junior doctor at Bury and Fairfield general hospitals. She then spent time at Minden Medical Centre in Bury before moving to Bolton.

The service, at Overdale Crematorium's West Chapel, was relayed on loudspeakers outside for those who could not squeeze into the building.

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

She worked at hospitals in Bury before starting work in Bolton as a GP.

Minister Beryl Allerton said Dr Harris was a home-maker who was just as creative as she was intelligent. She learnt how to sew and was an excellent cook.

She was devoted to her two cats, Florence and Zebedee, who she got from a rescue centre.

Dr Harris met her husband at university when they were both chaperoning another couple. They married a few years later and went skiing on 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, recorded by an African choir, was played during the service.

There were 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 aunt 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.