Hundreds of people gathered for the funeral of Cheltenham schoolgirl Abi Owen at St Michael's and All Angels Church in Bishop's Cleeve today.
Family members were joined by friends and classmates of Abi from Cleeve School at this afternoon's service to pay their respects to the 12-year-old, who died this month after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
There was standing room only as moving tributes were read out to a "beautiful" and "effervescent" young girl.
Tears were shed openly as her school friends performed a moving version of "Sing" by Gary Barlow.
After the service pals let off dozens of balloons in her memory.
More than £9,000 has been raised in Abi's memory via an online appeal since her death. The money will go to Bristol Children's Hospital where she died on February 10. To donate to the appeal go to www.justgiving.com/kelly-owen
For a full report including tributes from the service see tomorrow's Echo.
