A BRAVE toddler who captured the hearts of the people of Darwen has lost her fight for life.

Two-and-a-half-year-old Lauren Thornber, who had suffered from severe epilepsy and brain injuries since she was just six weeks old, died in the arms of her parents Dale and Nadine with her little brother Corrie snuggled up next to her at their home in Comrie, Scotland.

But despite the family's grief, Lauren's doting grandmother Lois Thornber made time to thank everyone who helped raise money for Lauren's care.

Lois, of Ratcliffe Street, Darwen, led the campaign called "Give Lauren A Chance" to raise money to pay for vital equipment and a special vehicle to make life easier for the family while Lauren was undergoing intensive therapy at the British Insitute for Brain Injured Children. The people of Darwen rallied round and celebrities including former Blackburn Rovers star Colin Hendry and Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh helped raise thousands of pounds for Lauren.

Lois said: "We are absolutely devastated by Lauren's death. We got a call on Tuesday night and we set off for Scotland straight away.

"We arrived in the early hours of Wednesday and Lauren died at 9am, so at least we got some time with her.

"The whole family really wants to thank everyone who helped to raise money for Lauren's treatment and equipment."

Lauren's dad Dale left Darwen a few years ago to work as a chef at one of Scotland's top hotels.

Her funeral will take place tomorrow in Scotland.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.