MORE than 100 people gathered at a funeral service to pay their respects to courageous Josieann Giles, who lost her battle against a rare brain tumour.

MORE than 100 people gathered at a funeral service to pay their respects to courageous Josieann Giles, who lost her battle against a rare brain tumour.

The service was held at St Augustine's Church in Ipswich and was attended by scores of Josieann's family and friends, as well as schoolteachers and nurses who helped during her illness.

Nine-year-old Josieann, who was a pupil at Ravenswood Primary School in Ipswich, had endured almost nine months of painful medical treatment since being diagnosed with a tumour last Christmas.

Despite a course of intense radiotherapy and difficult surgery, doctors were unable to remove the tumour and little Josieann, of Beatty Road, Ipswich, finally lost her fight against the condition on December 10.

During yesterday's church service, which was led by Canon Lionel Simpkins, the youngster was described as a "caring, cheerful and kind" little girl who touched the hearts of everyone she met.

In a written speech, read out in church by a friend, her father, Devon, said Josieann had been far braver during the past year than her family, including himself, her stepmother Pam, and her 14-year-old sister, Julieann.

"She's a brave little girl in every way. She was loved by everyone who had a chance to speak to her. The staff at the children's hospice idolised her," he added.

Many other members of Josieann's family paid tribute to her by reading prayers or poems during the service. Her sister Julieann and a young relative also sang a song from pop band, Westlife.

During the past year Josieann's family has done everything to make her final year the most memorable of her life.

She even managed to meet her pop idol, Ricky Martin, thanks to the Make A Wish Foundation.

The church service was followed by a burial at Ipswich Children's Cemetery.