THE mum of 13-year-old Eboney Cheshire paid tribute to her "precious princess" as more than 500 mourners packed out St Bartholomew's Church today for the schoolgirl's funeral. 

Rainhill High student Eboney died in the early hours of Monday, December 3 after she was taken ill.

Mourners lined the streets as Eboney's horse drawn carriage was taken from her home on Sandon Close and travelled round the village, pulled by four white horses.

Pink flowers spelled out Eboney's name and around 50 people stood on the street and near the Rainhill school entrance, as tearful mourners, many of them fellow pupils, watched on as she went through her school gates one last time.

Many carried single roses, mostly pink in her memory. 

Eboney's white coffin, which had a pink pillow with a tiara placed on it, was carried inside.

After Eboney's mum Kerry Williams placed a rainbow rose on her daughter's coffin, a tribute was read out to the crowded church on her behalf by Reverend Philip Swanson.

It read: "Eboney, I know you wouldn't want me saying my little girl, so my precious princess and my best friend, since you left us in this physical world you took a massive piece of my heart with you. 

"I find it hard each day to talk about you in the past tense as I still find it hard to accept you are not by my side.

"Life will never be the same Ebs.

"You were one of a kind and my guess is that is that's why the angels wanted you so much."

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As hundreds stood at the back listening, the tribute added: "I heard from parents on a few occasions when their children were being bullied, that you would take them under your wing and stand up for those people.

"You had a huge heart and cared so much about other people. 

"Eboney, I hope you hear me everyday telling you how much I love and miss you. 

"Leon (Eboney's brother) has lost his best friend and as a family we are lost.

"I hope our family in heaven are taking good care of you. 

"I love you baby girl and you will be in our hearts forever and ever. We will be together again one day and I will give you the biggest hug and I'll never want to let go but until then I will continue to be jealous of those angels. 

"Your loving mum."

The church was full of Eboney's classmates and friends.

Staff from Rainhill High also attended the service, with the family thanking them for their support.