It was a day for tears, laughter, reflection – and tunes from One Direction.

About 150 mourners, many dressed in Stacey Mowle’s favourite pink, turned out to say goodbye to the little girl with a big heart.

It was always going to be a tearful send-off for the nine-year-old but family and friends made sure every moment reflected the determined life of the brave youngster.

Stacey, of Trafalgar Road, Gravesend, passed away on Friday, March 6, after a five-year battle with a rare childhood cancer.

A campaign to raise £500,000 for treatment only available in the United States had captured the hearts of many.

The funeral cortege arrived at the service at Medway Crematorium, Blue Bell Hill, Chatham, led by a white horse-drawn carriage with a convoy of white cars behind.

Stacey’s pink coffin was adorned with colourful floral tributes, two spelling out the words Stacey and Princess.

The eye-catching cortege had travelled from her home in Gravesend, ensuring the little girl arrived in style.

As mourners made their way into the crematorium’s East Chapel, it became clear there was not going go to be enough room.

They squeezed into rows or stood in a neat line in the aisle. No one wanted to get in the way but all wanted to pay their respects.

It was a testament to the little girl, who was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma when she was just four.

In December 2011, Stacey went into remission after chemotherapy but a year later the cancer returned and this time was more aggressive.

Among those in attendance were celebrity patrons of the Stacey Mowle Appeal, a charity set up to raise money for specialist treatment after her relapse.

Birds of a Feather star Linda Robson and Call the Midwife actress Kirsty J Curtis were joined by Leicester City FC defender Paul Konchesky in paying their respects.

There was even a light-hearted moment when Stacey’s crush for the Barclays Premier League footballer, and now family friend, was revealed.

The service began with What Makes You Beautiful by her favourite group One Direction, before people were welcomed by a beautiful and poignant speech from life celebrant David Wylie.

They were reminded of the courage, spirit and passion of the small girl with the giant personality.

Photos of Stacey’s beaming face sat close to her pink, sparkling coffin.

Memories were shared by Mr Wylie on behalf of the Mowle family, dad Warren, mum Samantha and big brother Jake. The three remained strong, unified and an inspiration.

Poems were also read out, the most moving by Hadleigh Alexander-Smith, Stacey’s best friend.

It offered an insight that only a childhood friend could convey and left many with lumps in their throats.

More One Direction was played, with the song Story of My Life causing many to get teary eyed.

While there were tears there were also times where people shared a smile or a laugh remembering a private memory or a joke they had shared with Stacey.

When Bang Bang by Jessie J boomed across the crematorium’s speakers, the mood lifted.

You could imagine the smiling little girl bopping around to her favourite pop song – it was a perfect moment.

As the service drew to a close, Warren kissed his hand and tenderly touched his daughter’s pint-sized coffin.

After the service mourners gathered outside, Stacey’s parents and brother released white doves and watched them fly off into the sunshine.

Stacey said goodbye with the style and elegance of a princess and to those who knew her that was exactly what she was and always will be – their little princess.

For more pictures and information about a Stacey Day of Celebration see next week's Gravesend Messenger.