Alexys Brown: Funeral held for Weymouth lift death girl

The service took place at St Paul's Church on Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth

The funeral of a five-year-old girl who died when her head became stuck in a lift has taken place in her home town.

Alexys Brown, also known as Lexi, died in hospital after becoming trapped at her home in Emmadale Close, Weymouth, Dorset, on 13 August.

The service took place at St Paul's Church on Abbotsbury Road.

Beechcroft St Paul's Primary School, which Alexys attended, was closed for the day as a mark of respect.

The appeal for Alexys Brown's family has raised almost £34,000

Headteacher Sarah Spurge described Alexys as "an angel".

"She lit up the world with smiles and joy," she said.

"She was just a fantastic little girl who was incredibly popular, incredibly loving, incredibly caring - never saw the negative in anybody, always saw the positive."

Father Richard Harper, who led the church service, said it was "a celebration of Alexys' short but very powerful life".

The family requested a private ceremony and asked the media not to attend.

Floral tributes were left outside the home following Alexys' death

An online appeal set up to help her family has, so far, raised almost £34,000.

An inquest into Alexys' death was opened last month and is due to resume on 20 January.

Coroner Sheriff Payne was told Alexys died of neck and face injuries after becoming trapped between part of the lift and the ground floor ceiling.

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating.

Dorset County Council said it had not installed the lift at the property.

A spokeswoman for the authority said the lift involved was commonly known as a "through floor lift" and enabled someone with a physical disability to access upper floors, where stairs cannot be used.