GWENT schoolgirl Emma George - whose battle with cancer touched the hearts of many - has died at the age of ten.

Popular Emma lost her fight for life on Saturday morning after a year-long illness.

She died peacefully at her home in Severn View, Garndiffaith, of a suspected brain haemorrhage.

She was diagnosed with a malignant tumour in 2003 and underwent a gruelling 12-hour operation to remove it last year.

After what seemed to be a good recovery, her distraught parents Kim and Glyn were told before Christmas that Emma had just weeks to live. She had developed a second tumour on her back.

Her funeral will be held at St John's Church, Garndiffaith, at 1pm on Thursday, followed by burial at Panteg Cemetery.

Just weeks before her death, Emma had a dream come true when she met the stars of her favourite television programme, The Bill.

Staff at Llandough Hospital wanted to grant their favourite patient a special wish, so they arranged a visit to the set of The Bill.

Emma was too ill to make the trip, so instead actors Lisa Maxwell, Alex Walkinshaw and Bruce Byron paid a special visit to Llandough.

Emma's father Glyn, 41, said: "She was absolutely over the moon. It really was a dream come true. She watched The Bill all the time and her favourite was DS Samantha Nixon, played by Lisa Maxwell. When she saw Lisa she couldn't believe it. She had a lovely day."

The schoolgirl's battle with cancer touched the hearts of people across Gwent since we revealed her condition last year.

Emma was diagnosed with a malignant tumour on the wall of her chest in November 2003. She had a life-threatening 12-hour operation in April.

She made an amazing recovery and most of the tumour had cleared up.

Less than three weeks later Emma was back at school, despite gruelling bouts of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

But before Christmas, Emma faced a major setback when a second tumour was diagnosed on her back.

She spent two weeks in Llandough and had a second harrowing course of radiotherapy, but consultants had grave news for her parents Glyn and Kim, 40.

"We were basically told she only had weeks to live," said Kim.

"They just said there was no more treatment they could give her. When she came back from hospital she became more herself. We had her back and for just a little while she was our Emma again. We were a little shocked but there wasn't anything we could do."

For a while life carried on as normal. Emma was too ill to go to school but she visited to see her friends. Emma and her twin brother Tom celebrated their tenth birthday on January 7. They had a joint party at home and Emma had a birthday cake in her favourite colour - pink.

But on Friday Emma fell ill.

Dad Glyn said: " She was talking to us as normal on Friday night. Then in the night she came down half asleep and was talking to us but we couldn't understand what she was saying.

"In the morning, she just went to sleep and didn't wake up. I was over the shops at the time. Kim called and told me 'Emma's gone.' I just said 'No don't be so silly'. It was that quick."

Kim said: "In a way we were happy about it because we didn't want her in any pain. I know it sounds silly but she looked so cute. She was lying on her side curled up.

"It was a very peaceful death. It couldn't have been more peaceful.

"I said to Tom 'come and give your sister a kiss goodnight'. I told him Emma had gone to sleep to be an angel. At the moment he is fine. He is staying with relatives."

Glyn's sister Norma Jeremiah said: "Kim and Glyn have been marvellous. I don't know how they have found the strength to cope. They have had a lot of help and support from people in the community. We have had so many visitors. Emma's head teacher and some other teachers came to visit.

"When she came home from hospital she went back to being her old self. She didn't complain. She was still busy, still feisty, still Emma. She never gave up."

A statement from Garnteg Primary School said the thoughts of the staff and pupils were with Emma's family:

"We are all deeply saddened by the devastating news. Emma's bravery and cheeriness throughout her illness has touched and inspired all of us and she is a playmate that the children will never forget. We know that once our initial sadness and shock have passed we will be able to reflect and remember Emma when she was well - a popular and enthusiastic young lady who always did her best in all aspects of her life.

"Although short, it was a life enriched by the love and respect of all who knew her in the community and her many friends both on the staff and amongst the pupils. Emma was a wonderful little girl who will be greatly missed by everyone in the school and the local community."