MICKEY Mouse and a host of Disney characters went to a funeral in Lowton today.

For the cartoon favourites were featured on the ties of mourners at the funeral of five-year-old Rachael Barlow who died after a long, brave, battle against cancer.

Parents Steve and Barbara, and Rachael's elder sister Megan, seven, planned the funeral as a festival reflecting the eternally cheerful spirit of the Lowton schoolgirl.

Mourners also wore button holes on their lapels and balloons were released from the churchyard of Lowton St Luke's Church by children from Rachael's school, which she joined last year.

St Luke's School closed down for the day while pupils attended the service before cremation at Walton Lea.

Steve, a freelance photographer, said before the service: "We knew Rachael wouldn't want everyone to be gloomy and miserable.

"She wasn't that type of child, and we have done everything we can to let everyone go to her funeral to celebrate her life and not her death.

"We still have her sister Megan who has been absolutely amazing throughout the time of Rachael's illness. She is a tower of strength and a very special little girl too."

A cherry tree, Rachael's favourite, is to be planted in her memory in the grounds of St Luke's Junior School.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.