HUNDREDS of people are expected to celebrate the life of much loved hairdresser Kelly Ross on Saturday.

The mum-of-two died of cancer just months after being diagnosed and her family have issued an open invitation to everyone who knew her to attend a service in The Corn Exchange, Devizes, at 10.30am.

Her father Alan Rake, of Proudman Road, Devizes, said: "We want everyone to wear bright colours and for it to be a celebration of her life.

"She loved flowers so we hope people will bring a few simple flowers so we can decorate the stage area. If people want to join us afterwards for the burial in Devizes Cemetery then they are welcome to do that as well.

"Kelly loved people so we want her friends and clients to feel welcome.

"We will also be having a wake in The Crown so if people prefer they can go straight from the Corn Exchange to there."

Mrs Ross, 32, who had two young children Ruby, three, and Jack, who will celebrate his first birthday on Monday, died at home on July 4.

The former Devizes School pupil had always known she wanted to be a hairdresser and became an apprentice at the Cutters Wharf in Devizes after leaving school.

In December 2005 she joined her sister Dawn and brother Mike to set up family hairdressers Kadiem in Maryport Street.

A collection will be made at the funeral for the Forever Friends appeal for the cancer unit at the Royal United Hospital, Bath.

Kadiem also wants to hold fundraising events to help the appeal which aims to raise £8.5 million towards a new cancer centre which it is estimated will cost a total of £23.5m.

It is planned for the centre to be fully operational by 2018 but some sections are expected to be completed earlier.

Her mother Helen Rake praised the staff at the existing cancer unit and explained how being able to have a cold cap treatment had allowed Mrs Ross to keep her hair during chemotherapy. The family now hope to raise money to pay for more of these machines.

She said: "It made a big difference to how Kelly felt about herself."