'Fly high princess': Mourners dressed in pink gather for funeral of seven-year-old girl 'murdered' in Middlesbrough house fire with her aunt

Dozens of mourners decked out in pink accompanied a funeral procession today for a seven-year-old girl who died in a devastating house blaze last month.Valentina Foster was allegedly murdered alongside aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, in the fire on Birchington Avenue in Grangetown near Middlesbrough on August 26.Jaden Wright, 23, was charged with two counts of murder, two of grievous bodily harm with intent and another two of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.He will next appear in court on September 23.Today, Valentina was laid to rest following a ceremony at St John's Church in South Bank.A white horse-drawn carriage carrying a bright pink coffin travelled down Normanby Road before the service, laden with white and pink flowers reading 'niece'.Dozens of the schoolgirl's friends and family walked alongside the funeral cortege.The procession was followed by a van containing more floral displays, reading 'Valentina', 'granddaughter' and fairy wings emblazoned with the words 'Princess TT'.Six pallbearers, dressed in baby pink T-shirts printed with pictures of Valentina, lifted the coffin out of the carriage and carried it into the church. Dozens of Valentina Foster's friends and family walk alongside the funeral cortege today Six pallbearers carry the coffin into the church after lifting it out of the carriage this morning The procession is followed by a van containing more floral displays, reading 'Valentina' Mourners at the church are dressed in baby pink T-shirts printed with pictures of Valentina Valentina is laid to rest following a ceremony at St John's Church in South Bank, Middlesbrough An image of KPop Demon Hunters is displayed in a floral tribute to Valentina Valentina Foster died in the fire on Birchington Avenue in Grangetown near Middlesbrough Valentina's aunt Natalie McDonald, 34, was also killed in the blaze on August 26Notes on displays read 'love you forever TT' and 'fly high Princess'.Ahead of the service, grandmother Valerie Foster took to Facebook and penned an emotional goodbye to Valentina, known to loved ones as 'TT'.She wrote: 'Why you, princess? How do I let you go? Taken from us, we are heartbroken, I'm numb, feel sick, don't even know what to say or write.'Never in this world did I think that I would have to lay you to rest before me. See you soon and give your daddy a big hug off me.'In another tribute earlier this month, Valentina's family wrote: 'It is with overwhelming sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that our beloved daughter has passed away.'She was deeply loved and will be missed beyond words by her family, friends, and everyone whose life she touched.'Our lives have changed forever, and we are struggling to come to terms with this devastating loss. Our daughter will always be in our hearts, and her memory will live with us forever. Forever missed by her brothers and sisters.' Notes on floral displays for Valentina read 'love you forever TT' and 'fly high Princess' Flowers for the seven-year-old girl who died in the devastating house blaze last month Another floral tribute for Valentina as her funeral takes place in South Bank this morning A van containing floral displays including 'granddaughter' follows behind in the procession Floral tributes to Valentina are displayed as her funeral takes place in South Bank today Police officers and fire crews at the scene of the blaze on Birchington Avenue last monthInquests into the deaths of both Valentina and Ms Foster were opened earlier this month at Teesside Coroners' Court.Paul Appleton, Assistant Coroner for Teesside and Hartlepool said on September 8 the pair both died due to 'the effects of fire'.The court heard Valentina was pronounced dead at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough on the same day of the blaze, and was identified by her mother.Meanwhile, Ms McDonald was identified via dental records and a 'unique tattoo'.The incident happened four days after PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades died in the early hours of August 22 in a horrific crash on the A66 in South Bank.Five young men in a VW Passat which had been involved in a police pursuit before the collision were also killed.