Wearing colours chosen by Eden, they joined her mum and dad, Rachael and Brendan Shaw, and her older brother Cameron to walk behind a horse-drawn funeral cortege from their home on St Paulinus Close to St Paulinus Church.

During a moving service Eden's family, friends and supporters shared tears and laughter as they remembered the brave 11-year-old who had touched their hearts.

Fr Nicholas Hird, who led the service, compared Eden to a sunflower – majestic and dignified, strong and determined, brightening the lives of those around her with her beaming smile.

Jackie Rush, Eden's former teacher and assistant head at St Paulinus Primary School, gave a reading from Thessalonians 1, and Matthew Shepherd, head of year seven at St John Fisher High School, read the poem On the Death of the Beloved.

Eden's friends also read out prayers they had written for her and her family before the congregation was invited to share their memories.

Family members, including Eden's mum Rachael and her granddad Barrie Bellwood talked about Eden's cheeky sense of humour, her infectious enthusiasm and her strength throughout her fight against cancer.

Martin Hemingway, one of the nurses who cared for Eden in her last weeks, also read out tributes from staff at St James's University Hospital.

A burial followed at Dewsbury Cemetery where Eden's schoolfriends and friends from Ward 10 at St James's released silver and red balloons in her memory.

Meanwhile, players from St John Fisher Reserves and Hightown Liberal Club held a minute's applause in memory of Eden before their Gate Challenge Cup Final at Littletown FC last Sunday. They also wore yellow arm bands, one of Eden's chosen colours, as a mark of respect.