HUNDREDS of mourners have paid tribute to Rachael Bower, the young mother whose life was tragically cut short by cancer.

Rachael died less than a month after her 30th birthday, and just weeks before the first birthday of her daughter, Imogen.

But to her friends and family across North Yorkshire, Rachael will always be the woman who "never stopped smiling".

Parish reader Sally Jones led a celebration of Rachael's life in St Michael's Church in Malton.

She said her life had been "all too short, but so full".

Mourners, many of whom had to stand at the back of the packed church, were told how Rachael bravely completed the Race For Life in aid of Cancer Research in Scarborough last July - days after a gruelling course of radiotherapy.

Together with her mother, Christine, and her sister, Rebecca, she raised more than £1,000 for the charity.

Rachael, "who achieved more in her life than many people ever will, however long they live", was a talented dancer, and among the congregation were friends and colleagues who had performed with her and attended fitness classes run by her.

The Evening Press reported on Wednesday that Rachael died on January 13 after a year-long battle with cervical cancer.

She was diagnosed with the disease when she was seven months pregnant with Imogen - and waited until she had given birth before starting treatment.

Rachael's sister, Rebecca Burley, said everyone who met Rachael was "enchanted by her". She said Rachael had been determined to "live life to the full as long as she could".

Mrs Jones told the service the whole community had been affected by Rachael's death. She said it was "tremendously difficult to restrain our tears".

One of Rachael's favourite songs - Eva Cassidy's Fields Of Gold - and one of her favourite hymns - fittingly, Lord Of The Dance - were played.

Rachael married in St Michael's Church, and Imogen was christened there.

Mrs Jones lit a candle in her memory and gave it to her grieving husband, 34-year-old James.

A collection taken at the funeral will be shared between St Gemma's Hospice, near Leeds, and St Michael's Church.

Updated: 09:26 Saturday, January 21, 2006