Silsden youngsters held an emotional balloon race in memory of a former school friend.

More than 600 pupils from Hothfield Junior School and Aire View Infants School gathered clutching pink balloons to celebrate the life of 14-year-old Stephanie McCartney, who died in April.

Stephanie attended both schools, before moving on to South Craven School.

Stephanie's mother Deborah said that the family had been very moved by the event.

"It was very fitting really, as she loved going to those schools. She was a very special girl, and the schools have been really supportive," she said.

"It was lovely that the parents, and the children, wanted to do something. I would personally like to thank both schools for doing that."

Pink was Stephanie's favourite colour, and her desire to raise money for the teenage cancer unit at St James' Hospital, Leeds, where she was a patient and the Guy Francis Bone Cancer Research Fund proved inspiration for the event.

Deborah, who is the head of governors at Hothfield Junior School, added that she was also hoping to form a trust in her daughter's memory and raise money for the charities and awareness of bone cancer in teenagers.

Stephanie's sister Bernie McCartney, 16, helps Aire View Infant's School's Chloe Taylor, four, at the balloon race