SHE was the "pink princess", with a "lop-sided smile and a wicked glint in her eye".

It was a sea of pink coats, scarves and dresses, as hundreds packed into St Stephen's Church, at Acomb, York, to pay their last respects to brave Kelsie Copping - whose life was tragically cut short by multiple sclerosis (MS).

Kelsie, from Acomb, died aged only 11 in Martin House Hospice, at Boston Spa, on November 29. She had battled the debilitating illness for seven years.

In memory of the youngster who loved all things pink, mourners honoured her by wearing the colour at her funeral.

"Kelsie brought so much love, joy and pleasure to those who came into contact with her," said the Rev Bob Rogers, senior chaplain at York Hospital.

"She was the happy little girl with the lop-sided smile and the wicked glint in her eye. The pink princess, who would cuddle and kiss you."

Mum Nanette penned an emotional poem to her beloved daughter, which was read out to mourners.

It paid tribute to the fun-loving little girl who loved rainbows, Disney films, and "all things girly".

Several friends and relatives told of their own memories of the bubbly youngster, including her 14-year-old sister, Naomi, who paid heartfelt tribute to her "princess".

"I'll never forget her smile," she said.

Some of Kelsie's favourite songs were played to grieving mourners, including Angels, by Robbie Williams.

Abba's classic hit, Money, Money, Money - Kelsie's karaoke favourite - rang out from the speakers as her pink coffin was carried from the church.

Kelsie, a pupil at Northfields School, was first diagnosed with MS at only four years old - believed one of the youngest in Britain ever to contract the illness.

Parents Chris and Nanette both gave up their jobs to care for the youngster, who spent lengthy periods in hospital, both in Leeds and York. As relatives and friends said their final goodbyes to Kelsie, they were invited to donate to our Guardian Angels Appeal which aims to transform High Dependency Care at York Hospital - along with Martin House Hospice where she died.

Nanette and Chris said they wanted people to donate to the appeal so others might be spared stressful trips to Leeds - a common pattern of their lives in the years since their daughter fell ill.

Updated: 10:17 Thursday, December 08, 2005