Family of hairdresser Kelly Ross, nee Rake, want everyone who attends the celebration of her life in the Corn Exchange, Devizes on July 18 to wear bright colours.

Mrs Ross, 32, died at home in Proudman Road, Devizes, on Saturday, after a battle with cancer. She was an optimistic and loving person and her family want the service to reflect her personality.

A celebrant will lead the service which starts at 10.30am and will be followed by a burial in Devizes Cemetery and then a wake at The Crown in New Park Street.

Mrs Ross' father Alan Rake said: "We want this to be a real celebration of her life and for it to be as colourful as possible as that is what Kelly would have wanted."

Mrs Ross grew up first in Market Lavington and then in Devizes and was a pupil at Wansdyke Primary School and then Devizes School.

She leaves her parents Alan and Helen Rake and four siblings Ashley Rake, 28, Mike Wesley, 37, Damion Long, 42 and Dawn Walker, 45.

Three years ago she married Jamie Ross and they had two children Jack, 11 months, and Ruby, three. But the couple later separated. She remained close to Mr Ross' parents Alex and Kathryn Ross from Bromham and her sister-in-law Emma.

Mrs Ross knew she wanted to be a hairdresser from a young age and after leaving school at 16 she studied hairdressing at Trowbridge College and started work at Cutters Wharf where she worked alongside her sister Dawn and brother Mike.

Her parents ran Bucklands shoe shop and cobblers in Maryport Street, Devizes, which had been started by Mrs Rake's grandfather in 1913.

In December 2005 Bucklands closed and the family opened Kadiem hairdressers, creating its name from the first two letters of Kelly, Dawn and Mike's names.

Sister Dawn said: "Kelly was a wonderful sister and a fantastic hairdresser. All the clients really loved her. She always wanted children and was fantastic with youngsters in the salon."

Her younger brother Ashley, whose wife Katie works at the salon, said: "When I was little she loved dressing me up."

Her brother Mike said: "She was a very patient person and had time for everyone."

A collection will be made at the funeral for the cancer unit at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, where Mrs Ross was treated. Mr Rake said: "The staff there were fantastic."