A BRIGHT and bubbly teenager who refused to let cystic fibrosis rule her life, has died just a few months before she was due to meet her pop star hero. Leanne Barkess, 14, from Great Lever, had been scheduled to meet heart-throb Peter Andre through the Dream Come True charity, but suffered a sudden relapse. The plucky teenager died in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, only months before she was due to receive a certificate highly commending her in the National Child of Resolution Awards.

Staff at Deane School nominated her in acknowledgement of her academic achievement and a presentation was set to be arranged for May.

Instead, they will be present together with Leanne's former teachers from Ladybridge Primary School, at her funeral today .

Headmaster, Mr Derek O'Brien, said: "We hear so much about young people not doing well, but in Leanne we can recognise somebody who in her own quiet way made such a contribution to the world."

The youngster, described by Mr O'Brien as "generous to a fault", had been in and out of hospital for most of her life, but was determined her condition would not hold her back.

The daughter of Stephen Barkess and Lorraine Henderson, Leanne particularly enjoyed pop concerts, and her favourite stars were Take That, in addition to Peter Andre.

Lorraine said: "We knew we would lose her one day, but it still came as a shock.

"It is something you put at the back of your mind.

"Leanne was due to meet Peter Andre and was waiting until he came to Manchester in the next few months.

"She did not let her condition dictate to her. She wanted to qualify as a pathologist and was determined to pass all her science subjects."

However, the teenager was taken into hospital two weeks ago, and died last Friday.

Lorraine said: "She was very, very brave. She was even in school on the day she ended up going into hospital.

"She was taken into intensive care and the doctors thought she was too ill to be moved back on the ward. But on the Thursday, they managed to get her back. Her face lit up when she realised she was among familiar faces. I know she was happy being in the place nearest to her home that she could get."

Lorraine was given her daughter's last "glowing" school report only a week before she went into hospital for the final time.

She said: "She had lots of friends at school and was very close to her form teacher in particular."

Leanne was a keen Bolton Wanderers fan, and had been sent signed photographs from her favourite player, Alan Thompson, two years ago.

Lorraine said: "He was her real favourite and it seemed the perfect omen when he scored the two winning goals for Wanderers on Saturday."

Today's funeral began with a service at Trinity Church, Farnworth. Donations in lieu of flowers are to the Watson Mann Unit at Pendlebury Children's Hospital. Leanne was there when the new unit was opened, and had her picture taken with guest, Sir Bobby Charlton.

Lorraine said: "Bobby opened the ward and she had her picture taken with him. It was the last photograph she ever had taken."

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