A TOWN united in grief for the funeral of a six-year-old road accident victim as hundreds of mourners attended her funeral yesterday.

To Leonie Shaw's family, the bright, bubbly little girl who loved dancing and dressing up was a "princess" and they treated her to a fairytale ride in a gleaming glass coach for her final, heart-rending journey.

Two horses led the carriage from the family home, in St Cuthbert's Walk, Bishop Auckland, County Durham to the 30-minute service, in St Mary's RC Church, and then to the town's cemetery, past the spot where she was hit by a car as she crossed the road to buy sweets ten days ago.

She arrived at the church in the morning sunshine, her tiny coffin a splash of colour surrounded by the deep black of unimaginable grief.

Her mother Michelle and ten-year-old sister Jade were inconsolable as relatives wrapped them in their arms for the few faltering steps into church where 300 friends and neighbours waited to say goodbye.

Another 100 remained outside, heads bowed, remembering the youngster who, said Father Simon Weymes later, was "a special young girl whose short life was an inspiration to so many".

The procession was accompanied by Leonie's favourite song "I'm a Barbie Girl" and some in the congregation were able to share a smile.

Fr Weymes told them: "To celebrate Leonie's life in the coming days will bring a tear to your eyes, but it will also bring a smile as you remember so many good times you shared together.

"Leonie had similar interests to most girls of her age, the difference was that Leonie put her heart and soul into her interest, she was not second best.

"She loved dancing and all that went with it, and she was good at it. She always came first or second in dancing competitions.

"Leonie loved everything that sparkled, she knew what new clothes she wanted, and she wanted to wear them straight away

"Leonie had a quiet side to her too, she would spend hours drawing in her books or playing with toys.

"Leonie can never be forgotten, she lived in all your hearts. She knew she was loved.

"It's up to us to support each other. The whole town of Bishop Auckland and beyond has been saddened by the loss of such a special girl.

"The flowers, the many cards, the number of people here today and at the minute's silence show how much people care."

At the same time, half a mile away at St Andrew's Primary, the little girl's schoolfriends were sharing their own special thoughts at a simple service led by staff.

They stayed inside as her carriage, pulled by 12-year-old sprightly Gerlander horses Pimm and Samson, trotted by bearing white wreaths spelling her pet names "princess" and "Lollie".

More flowers filled three lorries bring up the rear of the cortege. "Goodnight, God Bless", said the cards.

They passed a bank of bouquets and toys stretched 60ft along railings separating the carriageway from the pavement and the swing park where Leonie had been playing minutes before the tragedy.

Yesterday, another little girl rocked gently on the same swings, too young to understand.

* A Spennymoor couple have appeared before Sedgefield magistrates in court in connection with the tragedy.

Colin Meek, 34, of Salvin Street, is charged with causing death by dangerous driving, failure to stop and failure to report an accident, driving without insurance and being an unaccompanied provisional licence holder. He was remanded in custody until April 30.

His girlfriend Emma Jane Lee, who is 21 and lives at the same address, is charged with aiding and abetting the failure to stop. She was remanded in custody to appear before magistrates on Friday.

* The Northern Echo was given permission to attend the funeral by the Shaw family.