London, November 15 : The funeral of a distant relative of ‘X-Factor’ star Shayne Ward was attended by all of her 172 grandchildren recently.

Margaret Ward, who died at the age of 87, was said to have been devoted to her large Irish Roman Catholic family, and gave each member a gift at Christmas.

Some of Margaret’s grandchildren united for the first time ever at her wake, and all 172 grandchildren released a balloon.

Margaret’s 12 surviving children were also present at St Sebastian''s RC Church in Salford, Greater Manchester, for the service.

Her daughter Anne Hudson revealed that her mother never forgot a birthday.