THERE were many tears but also many smiles as friends and family of much loved hairdresser Kelly Ross celebrated her life.

Hundreds of people turned up in bright clothes and carrying flowers in jam jars at the Corn Exchange, Devizes on Saturday.

Her parents Alan and Helen Rake of Proudman Road, Devizes, were moved by the sharing of love for their daughter who died aged just 32.

Mr Rake said: "It was lovely to see so many people who all cared about Kelly. It is a huge support to the family to know how much people cared and shared in our loss. It was difficult but there were also lots of smiles as people remembered Kelly.

"She was a wonderful person. There wasn't a bad bone in her body."

The service proved to be hugely emotional even for seasoned funeral director Paul McDonald. He said: "I couldn't stop the tears. I was an usher at Kelly's wedding so it was very difficult for me to just stay professional. Kelly was such a fantastic person and died so young."

The family chose music that meant the most to Mrs Ross and it included Flying Without Wings and You Raise Me Up by West Life and Just The Way Your Are by Bruno Mars.

Mr Rake said: "We chose the songs that meant something to Kelly and they produced a lot of tears."

He thanked everyone who turned up at the celebration service and brought enough flowers to decorate the whole of the Corn Exchange. These were later taken to cemetery to her grave by Mr McDonald. He said: "There were lots of sun flowers and sweet peas."

After the service friends and family shared memories of Mrs Ross at a wake held at The Crown pub

Mrs Ross, who left two young children Ruby, three, and Jack who was one this week, died at home on July 4.

She was diagnosed with cancer in April after several months of pain and weight loss.

A collection at the funeral raised about £1,500 for the Forever Friends Appeal for a new cancer unit at the Royal United Hospital, Bath,

Mr Rake said: "The nurses and other staff there were all fantastic. We are very grateful for the donations."

Mrs Ross, was a former pupil of Devizes School and worked at Kadiem in Marport Street with her sister Dawn and brother Mike. She also leaves brothers Ashley and Damion.