A MAJOR inquiry was under way today after a 13-year-old girl died and her friend was left fighting for her life after a suspected drug overdose.

Melissa Strickson was found yesterday by her 11-year-old sister Vicky in a flat occupied by a couple on Sudell Road, Darwen, where they had stayed the night with two friends after going missing from their home in nearby Tythebarn Street on Monday.

Annalise Stockley, 14, also of the Sudell area of Darwen, was today said to be critical but stable at Pendlebury Children's Hospital in Manchester.

Police said the girls were believed to have taken prescription drugs.

Another girl, Jenny Bradshaw, 11, was also at the house although was unharmed.

Both she and Vicky have been questioned by police to find out why they were staying with the couple.

Melissa's dad, Victor Strickson, said more should have been done to help his daughter, who he described as "headstrong and a little tearaway"

More than 50 officers are now working on the case as well as child welfare and social services staff.

Mr Strickland, 50, who has a third daughter Christina, said he had tried to get Darwen Moorland High School pupil Melissa taken into care by social services over the past 12 months.

He said: "I had tried to get a secure unit for Melissa for the past 12 months. I rang social services up on Tuesday and said 'will you be happy when she's dead?'

"I rang them again yesterday and told them she is dead."

Police today confirmed that the family had previously been involved with social services although Phil Watson, chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council said she was not on the Child Protection Register.

He said: "Our officers are working closely with the police and will assist the coroner in their respective inquiries.

"Melissa was not on the Child Protection Register although the council has been working to support the family."

A team of 50 officers has launched an inquiry into why the girls were at the house and the circumstances which led to Melissa's death and Annalise fighting for her life.

Chief Inspector Neil Smith, of Blackburn Police, said all four girls had been reported missing from home on Monday -- something which was not unusual.

They were seen in Darwen during the early hours of Wednesday morning and police were stepping up efforts to find them when the alarm was raised in Sudell Road at about 10am by Vicky and Jenny.

Police had searched the flat in the early hours of Wednesday, but could not find the girls.

Mr Smith said: "We are investigating the circumstances surrounding this sudden death and at this stage we are treating it as suspicious.

"Our main line of inquiry surrounds the possibility that these two teenagers may have taken some tablets."

The couple had been questioned but not formally arrested.

A post mortem examination was carried out on Melissa yesterday afternoon and samples sent to the police's toxicology unit to try to establish exactly what the girls had taken. The results were expected back in a week.

The mother of Jenny Bradshaw, who would not reveal her name, of Marsh House Lane, Darwen, said: "It has been a traumatic time and something she should not have to go through at 11 years old."

Darwen and Rossendale MP Janet Anderson, abroad on holiday, said: "My heart goes out to the families concerned."

She added she would be looking into the matter when she returns from Cyprus.

Pupils at Darwen Moorland High School held a special assembly in honour of Melissa.

Headteacher Richard Bridges said: "We are all shocked and saddened.

"The school will be making contact with the family to offer our condolences."