YOUNG cancer sufferer Abby Smith has lost her battle for life.

The three-year-old from Abbey Meads had been diagnosed with a brain tumour at the end of last year.

Doctors initially suggested that she may have been suffering from an inner ear infection, but a scan at Princess Margaret Hospital a few days later revealed the worst.

And despite undergoing intensive radiotherapy and surgery, her cancer continued to spread.

Abby, who passed away on Wednesday, was buried yesterday.

A service was held at Immanuel United Reformed Church. It was followed by a burial at Whitworth Road Cemetery.

Abby's parents Helen, 33, a primary school teacher, and Richard, 34, a consultant for Portman Building Society, asked mourners to avoid wearing black and instead don Abby's favourite colours of pink and purple.

They had hoped that revolutionary stem cell therapy could help their daughter.

And they considered taking Abby to the United States for treatment at the New York University Medical Centre.

Under the pioneering treatment, healthy cells involved in blood production are removed from the bone marrow before chemotherapy, to be replaced afterwards. This allows much higher doses of the toxic chemicals to be used.

But after examining her condition, doctors told her parents that such an approach would not benefit Abby.

Abby's family asked that donations should be made to the children's cancer and leukaemia charity CALM.

Sue Edward runs the Swindon branch and can be contacted on 01793 791470.