HER bravery touched the hearts of everyone who met her.

She was the little girl with a beaming smile whose courage will leave a lasting legacy.

Now the memory of brave Sophie Barringer is set to live on after she lost her fight for life.

The inspirational six-year-old died exactly one year after undergoing major surgery, which she was not expected to survive, to remove cancer from her heart, liver and right kidney.

Throughout her battle the youngster never stopped wanting to help others with the same illness.

A special charity, called Sophie's Appeal, was launched and already it has raised thousands of pounds for the Piam Brown ward at Southampton General Hospital where the Eastleigh schoolgirl received the majority of her hospital care.

Her parents Mike and Lin, of Desborough Road, said: "We would like to thank everyone for their love and support during the last six years."

Paying tribute to Sophie, head teacher Donna Shave of Eastleigh's Norwood Primary School, said: "She has left an indelible mark, which will never be washed away. For one so young she taught us so much. She was my heroine."

Miss Shave added: "While it is a time of great sadness in the school we would like also to recognise Sophie's character and nature.

"I talked with Sophie's mum and told her that Sophie's class believe that Sophie would want us to 'get on with it'. She agreed, so we will therefore continue with our Christmas programme of events."

But the school is also working with and supporting children who are feeling the loss of their fellow pupil.

On Tuesday, Norwood will hold a special assembly to celebrate Sophie's life and will link that with a visit to the Piam Brown ward to deliver scores of presents specially collected under the school's "giving tree."

It was last December that the youngster with a zest for life underwent a ten-hour operation, which removed her left kidney and took away the cancer from her heart, liver and right kidney.

She amazed doctors by surviving the operation and then displayed courage beyond her years in coping with a punishing regime of intensive chemotherapy treatment.

Despite spending regular spells in hospital, the youngster with the unbreakable spirit never let her illness get her down. She loved going to school when she was able and touched the hearts of people across Hampshire.

Last June a sell-out summer ball at the Rose Bowl in West End - organised by Lin and Mike plus a band of helpers - raised £11,680 in aid of Sophie's Appeal.

Three months later, an excited Sophie led out the Saints team at St Mary's for the Premiership clash against Newcastle. She would have stayed on the pitch to play if she had been allowed.

She died peacefully at home.