A TODDLER killed when a car hit her pram will be laid to rest in the dress she was to have worn at her christening.

The grieving family of 20-month-old Aisling Marie Nic-Suibhre, who described her as their "gorgeous little angel", said they all remained in a state of shock.

And they revealed that her mother, Charlene Ryan, was planning to move back to her home town of Darlington when the tragedy happened on Sunday in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

The 19-year-old, who suffered minor hip and pelvic injuries, was released from hospital yesterday.

Miss Ryan, originally from Bishop Close, in the Haughton area of Darlington, moved to Ireland several months ago to live with her boyfriend, Sean.

Aisling was due to have been christened on Saturday. Instead, her family are preparing to attend her funeral tomorrow.

Miss Ryan's sister, Caroline, 21, who is studying to be a teacher in Lancaster, said: "I was planning to take her out to play before her christening. Now she's going to be buried in her christening dress.

"None of us can believe what has happened. We saw her in the hospital and she looked like a sleeping angel, we keep expecting her to wake up.

"We are all just so upset, but Charlene is absolutely distraught. She was a wonderful mother, and misses her little girl terribly."

Miss Ryan's parents, Patrick and Maeve, still live in Darlington and she last visited with Aisling at Easter and talked of her plans to move back.

Aisling was already enrolled in the town's High Bank Nursery for September.

Miss Ryan, who is aiming to become a teacher, had enrolled at the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form Centre to study English and Sociology.

Her sister said: "Aisling was such a happy, friendly little girl. She was quite content just playing, and got on with everyone. We adored her, and we have so many happy memories.

"She was our gorgeous little angel - she was our only niece, our only granddaughter, our only little girl.

"When she was in Darlington over Easter, she loved The Dolphin Centre, and went on the slide in the swimming pool with her granddad and cousins, Joseph and Dominic.

"She had this little pushchair with a little dolly in it, and it went everywhere with her. She even brought it with her over here."

Aisling's grandfather, Patrick, an Arriva bus driver, said: "She was so beautiful, everyone will miss her dreadfully.

"We are all still stunned by what happened."

Aisling will be buried on Thursday, and will have a traditional Irish funeral. The procession will start from Londonderry, where she was killed, and the funeral will be in Derrybeg Chapel, in County Donegal, Ireland.

* Stephen Thomas White, 17, of Delwood, Eglinton, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily injury. He appeared before Londonderry Magistrates on Monday, and made no plea to the charges. He was bailed to reappear in eight weeks.