HYNDBURN has mourned the loss of a four-year-old tot who battled a deadly brain tumour for more than six months at a special Mass of Angels.

More than 300 people packed in to St Mary’s RC Church in Oswaldtwistle on Christmas Eve to say their goodbyes to the inspirational little girl.

Ellese Mulligan-Green died a week before Christmas in the Royal Blackburn Hospital with her devoted family by her side.

Her devastated parents Joanne, 40, and Phillip, 37, paid tribute to their "beautiful little angel" who they will always remember as a "special, brave and incredibly feisty little girl who battled on to the end despite what was thrown at her".

Ellese defied doctors by starting school at St Mary’s RC Primary in Oswaldtwistle in September – and was so proud of it her parents decided to bury her in her school uniform.

At the poignant funeral, Ellese was led into the church by a piper playing Amazing Grace.

Her tiny white coffin was decorated only with an orange and white floral tribute in the shape of a guitar to mark her shared love of music with her little brother Joshua, three.

The coffin was carried into the church by her heartbroken father, close family friend Derek Johnson and two other family members who all wore bright orange ties as she had just had her bedroom decorated in that colour.

Derek had helped organise a special Christmas party for her just a week before her death.

Joanne was supported throughout the service by her closest friends and family, including Ellese’s grandmas Margaret and Pat.

An incredible sense of loss swept across the crowded church as Father John Daley began reading mass.

Ellese’s headteacher Stephen Wells gave the first reading from Romans 14 – "The life and death of each of us has its influence on others.’’

The order of service, put together by the family, featured a picture of Ellese, above which she had written: "If I could I would be a Mummy."

A little boy carried a picture of her on her first day at Little Tinkers Day Nursery in Accrington.

Following the service, Ellese was taken to her final resting place at Accrington Cemetery for a private family burial.

Her parents then led the convoy to the Peel Park pub, Accrington, to celebrate her short but special life.

Ellese’s condition touched the hearts of thousands of people who helped to raise almost £13,000 in her name as well as organising a trip to Euro Disney.

Civic dignitaries including Hyndburn’s Mayor Pam Barton and Mayoress Sue Johnson were at the service to pay their respects.

Joanne and Phillip asked for family flowers only with all donations to go Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley which enabled the family, including little Joshua, to stay by Ellese’s side right up to the funeral.

Her family intend to continue fund-raising to help research into the condition that killed her.

Family’s thanks to the Observer

DURING the farewell service for Ellese, the Mulligan-Green family thanked the Observer for the part we played in organising the family’s trip of a lifetime to Euro Disney.

When we found out about Ellese’s condition in July, we were so touched we contacted Accrington Rotary Club’s We Will Fix It panel to see if it could fulfil Ellese’s wish of meeting her favourite Disney characters.

Father John Daley said during the service: "With the help of the Accrington Observer the family were able to start an appeal and go on a trip of a lifetime to Euro Disney where Ellese got to meet some of her favourite characters including the two chipmunks."