A final farewell for Burnley's 'fearless and unforgettable' mum of three Nikki

Although numbers who could attend the funeral at Burnley Crematorium were restricted due to Covid 19, people were able to follow the service outside thanks to speakers.

And many honoured the request from Nikki's family to wear something yellow, her favourite colour.

Three of Nikki's favourite songs, Creep by Radiohead, Three Babies by Sinead O'Connor, the song she used to sing to her daughters when they were little, and Coldplay's Yellow were played during the service.

Among those saying goodbye were a group of Nikki's former classmates who made the journey from different parts of the country. And they brought a floral wreath bearing the emblem of their school, the former St Hilda's RC High in Burnley.

News of Nikki's death sent shockwaves across the town as she was such a huge character, known for her outlandish dress sense and effervescent personality.

Nikki was also at the heart of Burnley's 'gig family' which she created for people who loved going to music festivals and events.

Nikki was also a regular figure at the Natter Shack and tea dance events organised by her friend Tracey Smith across Burnley, Pendle and the Ribble Valley. Held to bring people together, Nikki was the life and soul of the party who would chat to people and encourage them to take part.

A pupil at St John's RC Primary and the former St Hilda's RC High schools, Nikki had three daughters, Charlotte, Emily and Annie.

Artistic and creative, Nikki taught art Calderstone's Hospital for several years before training to become a hairdresser at Nelson and Colne College. She worked for a number of years at Kellie Hughes salon in Whalley.

Nikki posed as a life model in Whalley and was also very proud to be one of the thousands of people who posed naked, painted blue in the Sea of Hull exhibition in 2017. This was the work of artist Spencer Turnick and was commissioned by the Ferens Art Gallery to mark Hull's City of Culture status.

She was also one of the 240 people who volunteered to be a model for acclaimed sculptor and Angel of the North creator Antony Gormley's Domain Field exhibition.

For many years Nikki owned a car that was as distinctive and recognisable as her, a yellow Skoda Felicia Fun Box limited edition.

Nikki loved spending time with her daughters, who described her as 'fearless and unforgettable' and was also a proud grandmother to Blossom-Darling (seven) Charlie-Branwell, who is four, three-year-old Teddy Blue and Loki Rai who is just five months old.

Nikki also leaves her parents, Ralph and Sarah Sawley, a sister Lisa who lives in New Zealand, her brother Keiron and nieces and nephews.