Hundreds say goodbye to Lancashire girl Jessica Whelan after losing battle with cancer

Oswaldtwistle came to a standstill this morning - as hundreds of people lined the streets for the funeral of Jessica Whelan - who died from cancer at the age of four.

Published 28th Nov 2016

Oswaldtwistle came to a standstill this morning - as hundreds of people lined the streets for the funeral of Jessica Whelan - who died from cancer at the age of four.

She lost her brave battle with neurolastoma last weekend.

A black and white photo of Jessica showing her in pain went viral. Her dad decided to make it public - to raise awareness of childhood cancer - he says it's the hardest photo he's ever taken.

Hundreds of people lined the streets and wore black - they were silent and bowed their heads as the funeral procession, led by two police horses, arrived at St Mary's Church.

Two pink balloons were released into the sky and her family, who wore pink ties and flowers, followed her small pink coffin into the church:

Oswaldtwistle fittingly fell silent for a brave little girl whose courageous battle touched their hearts.