TRIBUTES to the courage, patience and cheerfulness shown by nine-year-old Southbroom Junior School pupil James Lynch in his four-year battle against cancer, were given at a packed memorial service at St James' Church in Devizes on Thursday November 09.

His brother Ryan, seven, told the congregation he missed James, and promised to look after his cat Elsa, and his rat Matilda.

His father, Richard, said: "James was the most caring, loving child you could ever hope to meet."

He said he was not only a son to his mother Suzanne, but a mate as well, and he was always the boss where Ryan was concerned.

He said: "If I had an ounce of his strength, I would be able to get my family through this.

"Every day he fought the cancer every step of the way. Now I know he doesn't suffer any more."

James became ill with cancer when Mr Lynch, an Army sergeant, was serving in Northern Ireland. The Army arranged for the family to move to Devizes to be near Mrs Lynch's family in Bromham, and James was attended by consultant oncologist Dr Stephen Lowis at Bristol Children's Hospital.

He suffered three relapses and after the last one, in March this year, it was decided not to give him any more chemotherapy.

The family went on the holiday of a lifetime to Disney World in Florida in the summer.

James was taught to drive by grandfather, Mick Gregory.

He was often to be seen at the wheel of his Ford Sierra on land at his home in Netherstreet, Bromham.

The Rev Chris Tebbutt, who took the service, told the congregation James had planted a conker in the garden of the family home in Bratton Avenue, which had since begun to grow.

The family have now moved it to the garden of James's grandparents, Mick and Margaret Gregory, in Bromham.

The family hope that from small beginnings it will grow on to become a living memorial to James.

The reading at the service was given by Southbroom School governor, Sheila Smithson.

The service closed with the playing of Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion.

A collection was taken at the memorial service for the children's cancer charities CALM and CLIC.