THE first anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, will be one of bitter-sweet memories for the Eyres family.

For Susan and John, of The Close in Greenbank, will not only be remembering the life of the People's Princess, but will also be celebrating their daughter's first birthday.

And like many other parents across the country, they named their baby after Diana following her birth at Leighton Hospital just hours before the car crash in Paris which killed the Princess, Dodi Fayed and their chauffeur Henri Paul.

"I was at home with her in my arms when I heard the news," said Susan, 42.

"I couldn't believe it so I stayed up all night watching the TV to find out the truth.

"We always thought a lot of Diana. We admired her for being able to open up to people from being such a shy person."

As they waited for their baby to arrive last August, Susan and John spent hours going through a book of 400 names, but couldn't agree on anything.

"We just kept calling her 'baby' and then, after the accident, John said it would be nice to call her Diana," said Susan.

"Since then I've collected all sorts of newspaper cuttings and commemorative brochures for Diana to see when she's older. It will just be nice for her to understand about the woman she was named after."

Next week the Eyres will have a mixture of sad and happy feelings as they light a single candle on their daughter's birthday cake and join the rest of the country in remembering the world's favourite Princess who died last year on August 31.

A special service is being held at St Helen's Church in Northwich to remember Diana's death.

Local churches will join together from 12noon until 1pm on Bank Holiday Monday for readings, poems, prayers and silence.

Reverend Paul Dawson said: "We want people to use the event in the way most helpful to them.

"Members of the clergy will be taking the service but we're also inviting members of the local community to give a reading, poem or prayer.

"And if they don't want to participate at the front, we will be lighting a large candle where people can leave a flower, picture, thoughts they have written down."

If you want to speak at the service please ring Rev Dawson on 01606 42943.

ST John's Church in Hartford will also be opening on Monday from 9am until 12noon for people to remember the Princess.

There will be a special service of prayer at Davenham Parish Church on the eve of Diana's death, this Sunday at 6.30pm. It will remain open on the anniversary for private prayers.

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