IN DEATH as she did in life, Sharon Garland is still spreading sunshine.

The 55-year-old mum-of-two from Latchford died from a brain tumour in April this year in St Rocco's Hospice after a year long battle.

But such was her colourful character she made her best friend Sue Howell promise that no one would wear black at her funeral.

And now Sue is keeping to the second part of that promise - to hold a massive party in Sharon's memory and to celebrate her life.

Sue said: "Sharon didn't want us to grieve, she was always so full of life, vibrant and colourful. She made sure we knew that no one at her funeral went in black and made us promise to hold a big party in her honour and that's exactly what we'll do. She was such a well loved person and we want everyone who knew her to come to her party and raise a glass to Sharon."

Sharon and Sue became friends more than 30 years ago when they were both teachers at Cherry Tree Primary School in Lymm.

The pair hit it off immediately and became even firmer friends when they both got divorced around the same time.

"When we got divorced it was like we brought our children up together and now they're like brothers and sisters. On Friday nights we'd get babysitters and go to the Carlton Club or the Lion because we both loved live music and were even backing singers together."

Sue said: "Sharon was a friend in a million. She was so supportive and had a great sense of humour - I miss her dreadfully.

"She knew she was dying but she was very brave and a real fighter. She never lost her sense of humour right up until the end. It was impossible not to be Sharon's friend because she had such an infectious personality.

"She once said to me that her religion was just being nice to people and she always was."

In Sharon's memory, a party featuring live music by The Backwater Blues Band will be held at Warrington Town Football Club off Loushers Lane on Saturday, July 1, from 8pm.

Admission is £10 including refreshments and all proceeds will go to St Rocco's Hospice.

If you plan to attend, call Sue on 07789 095 953.

sharker@guardiangrp.co.uk