TRIBUTES have been paid to a brave little girl who died of a brain tumour two weeks after her fourth birthday.

Chiara Campari-Moss, from Salisbury, died last Tuesday morning but her family says her infectious smile, sense of fun and love of life mean she will always be remembered by everyone who met her.

Chiara was a bubbly little girl who enjoyed ballet, gymnastics, swimming and playing with her sister Ariana, seven.

She was adored by her many friends and her carers at Busy Bees Nursery in London Road, and loved dressing up, playing with her pets and neighbour’s dog, singing and music.

Chiara was taken ill while on a family holiday in France in August and tests revealed that she had a rare and aggressive brain tumour called anaplastic astrocytoma Grade III.

Her parents, Paola and Justin, were told she only had a few months to live.

With the help of friends and local charities they did all they could to make her final few months as joyful and memorable as possible.

In October Chiara dressed as a princess for a party held in her honour, complete with magic show, disco and face-painting. She was due to start chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in November but suffered a massive brain haemorrhage before they got underway.

She had emergency surgery and spent ten days in intensive care but fought back and regained consciousness, although she had suffered brain damage.

For the following month Chiara and her family stayed at Naomi House children’s hospice where she was able to meet Peppa Pig, go swimming and on an ice skating trip, and listen to a West End singing star.

Salisbury charity Lucy’s Days Out also arranged for the family to meet Father Christmas at UK Lapland.

Chiara went back to her home in Downs Way in December.

She was four on January 5 and her family took her to Furzey Gardens in the New Forest to visit a fairy castle that was specially created for her by artist Simon Sinkinson.

Princess Chiara’s Castle – inscribed with the words “Born of laughter, clothed in cheer, happiness has brought you here”, taken from her favourite Tinkerbell film – will now be a lasting memorial to a special little girl.

Two fundraising appeals in Chiara’s name have already raised more than £4,000 for children’s cancer charity Clic Sargent and Naomi House.

Chiara’s family describe her as a “courageous little girl with a true love of life, and a little angel brought to earth to make people smile.”

They want to thank all those who cared for her during her illness and supported their family, including Sarum Ward at Salisbury District Hospital, PICU and Piam Brown Ward at Southampton General Hospital, Naomi House, Julia's House and staff and parents at Wyndham Park School and Busy Bees Nursery.

Also their friends and the congregations of St Gregory’s and St Francis’ churches for their prayers and support.

Chiara’s funeral will take place on Friday at 10am at St Gregory’s Church, Salisbury followed by a celebration of her life. Mourners are asked to wear something pink, with any donations being made to justgiving.com/Chiaras-Joy or justgiving.com/ChiaraCampariMoss.

Chiara’s American godmother has arranged for a dove release and memorial ceremony to take place in Houston, Texas to coincide with her funeral, and services will also be held in Italy and Edinburgh.