A SCHOOLGIRL has died after contracting a rare form of bone cancer.

Lisa Berry, 12, was a keen musician, swimmer, athlete and dancer and popular at school.

But it was as a member of the Hambledon Hunt North Pony Club that she was happiest. A talented rider, she regularly won competitions with her pony Woody.

It was last September when she first complained of a pain in her leg. Her parents thought it was a strain but as the pain became worse Lisa, from Fareham, had tests at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth.

Doctors were concerned and further examinations at St Mary's Hospital, in Milton, revealed Lisa had the rare bone cancer, osteosarcoma.

After only six weeks in to her first year at Henry Cort Community School, Fareham, Lisa began chemotherapy at Southampton General Hospital's Piam Brown children's cancer ward.

But just before Christmas Lisa's parents Andy and Lindsay were told it was terminal. Two weeks ago Lisa lost her battle against the cancer.

Yesterday Lisa's memory lived on as young horse riders competed for the Lisa Berry Memorial Trophy - established by family friend Karen Edwards - in the worker class at the Titchfield Show.

Speaking from their home in Fareham Park Road, Lisa's mother Lindsay said: "She was very bright and articulate. We were so close.

"She said 'I'm dying', but she never cried, she did not want to see us suffer. She was incredible. I ranted and raved but Lisa never did. She never asked 'why me'? She accepted it. She was very active, just so fit and healthy.

"If she'd have fallen off a horse and had an accident warranting an X-ray doctors might have found it, but she never fell off."

Lindsay and Andy, both 44, are baffled as to why Lisa developed the disease. Andy said: "I'll remember her smile. Everyone knew her smile."

Hundreds of mourners, including many of her school friends from Orchard Lea Junior School, turned out for Lisa's funeral at Portchester Crematorium last Friday.

The family, including Lisa's brother Kieran, 15, praised the medical team who cared for Lisa both in hospital and at home, where she spent her final five months.

On August 22, the family will sponsor the E-Quest Summer Event at the Mayhill Stud in Droxford, in her memory. Proceeds will go to the Piam Brown ward.