MOURNERS were asked to leave their black clothes at home and remember the radiance and fun-filled life of a "beautiful" and "loving and friendly" 12-year-old girl who tragically died last week.

Former Ivy Bank pupil Laurel Brown, who suffered from epilepsy, was found dead at her home in Stockton Road in Wilmslow, just one week ago.

And today (Wednesday) at her funeral at St John's Church in Knutsford her family and friends wore bright colours in honour of her love of all things pink.

Sadly missed by mum and dad, Lawrence and Mereta, big brothers Ryan and Aiden and little sister Alanna, the popular youngster was remembered as a caring and friendly girl who dreamed of being a nurse.

Lawrence said: "We shared her with everyone. She was such a happy, lovely girl and she loved life and would hate anyone to be sad.

"We'll never stop thinking about her."

After attending Ashdene Primary School, Laurel went to Ivy Bank in Macclesfield for two years, before starting at Knutsford High School in September.

Diagnosed with epilepsy at just three-years-old Laurel and her family faced testing times but their positive approach to life meant they were always happy.

Mereta said: "She was a very beautiful child who had a very normal life because we just carried on.

"She was never sad about having epilepsy because there were always people in hospital, that to her, looked like they needed help.

"She adored people and wanted to look after them - she wanted to be a nurse."

After Laurel's diagnosis her family battled to control her epilepsy, even putting her on a pioneering ketogenic diet piloted in America.

One of the hardest times was the year of Laurel's diagnosis when they "virtually lived" at North Manchester's Booth Hall children's hospital, while still caring for their other three young children.

Lawrence said: "In the early years she was in status epilepsy quite regularly, which meant her brain was constantly fitting and we'd have to take her to hospital.

"She'd be going in every two weeks. That improved over the years but there would be periods where she'd be off school for two to three weeks."

Her caring nature meant friends and family were firm favourites with Laurel, who filled their lives with laughter and fun.

Mereta said: "Her biggest love was having people round her - family and friends - if she knew someone was coming round she would wait by the gate or sit in the garden."

Despite the pressures of Laurel's severe epilepsy, Mereta and Lawrence, both 45, were determined to live a full family life including holidays to Barcelona, and this year France where she fulfilled an ambition to go horseriding.

Pop music was also high on Laurel's agenda and she loved bands like S-Club Seven and Steps.

"Music was her life. I remember the night before she died I was chasing her around trying to dry her hair as she danced around the room," Mereta said.

In a fitting tribute Wilmslow High School Choir, where Mereta works as a Maths teacher, will sing "Reach for the Stars" during today's service.

Laurel also enjoyed riding her tricycle and Lawrence ran the London Marathon to raise money for the David Lewis Centre, to provide similar toys to other children.

Rather than sending flowers mourners are being asked to send donations to the David Lewis Centre, Epilepsy Action or Claire House Children's Hospice in Wirral.