A 16-YEAR-OLD girl died of a suspected paracetamol overdose after complaining of pain following an alleged assault.

Mary Louise Shorrock died in St James' Hospital, Leeds, the day after she was found collapsed at her parents' home in Darwen.

Police today confirmed they were investigating the assault allegation but were also looking at possible medical causes of the pain which she was suffering before her death.

Mary had been living in a flat operated by the Darwen Nightsafe's Woodvale Project,

which offers accommodation to young homeless people.

But she regularly visited her parents, Joe and Josie Shorrock, both 40, at their Hindle Street home where her brothers Lee, 19, and Luke, 14, also live.

Her father said she had become involved with an older man the family did not approve of before she left home, 18 months ago, but the relationship had ended.

She collapsed while visiting her parents last week and was taken to Blackburn Infirmary.

She was later transferred to St James Hospital where she died the following morning.

Mr Shorrock said friends had told him she had complained of being in pain after being beaten up.

He added : "On the Monday she was in pain and went to the hospital on Tuesday. She was released and told to make an appointment for a scan on her kidneys.

"On Thursday she was out of it and I telephoned an ambulance, which rushed her to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

"They said her liver was knackered as she had taken so many painkillers and she died waiting for a liver transplant.

Mr Shorrock said Mary had never left his side when she was a youngster but their

relationship had become strained as she grew into a difficult teenager.

He said: "She followed me all over the place before she left Avondale County Primary School and she just wanted to help anyone in any way she could. It was a case of me and my shadow. "But after the first year at Moorland High School she changed and wouldn't do what she was told.

"For the last year and a half we have not seen eye to eye but we had got back on track.

"She was very strong willed and independent. Jason Mills, 18, a friend of Mary, said: "She was a good mate who did nothing to harm anyone. Jason is planning to read a poem he has written about his friend at her funeral. An inquest into Mary's death has been opened and adjourned until April 8.

Detective Inspector Peter Broome said: "Police are investigating the events leading to the death of Mary Louise Shorrock, aged 16, of Woodvale Flats.

"A post mortem examination has been conducted and the result forwarded to the coroner."