SHATTERED parents told today how their teenage daughter died from meningitis just 48 hours after complaining of a sore throat.

Bowland High School pupil Helen Driver died in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, after being struck down by the killer disease.

Staff and pupils at the school held a special assembly yesterday in memory of the popular 15-year-old, described by head teacher Steve Colling as a model pupil.

Fun-loving Helen, of Back Main Street, Gisburn, was rushed to Burnley General Hospital on Friday after complaining of a sore throat and headache.

She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at the Manchester hospital after doctors diagnosed meningitis.

Parents Judith and Harry praised medical staff at the two hospitals for battling to save their daughter's life.

They have also thanked Gisburn villagers for rallying around with messages of sympathy and support.

Judith said: "Helen complained of a sore throat and headache, so we called the doctor. She was taken to Burnley General Hospital, then Pendlebury. Medical staff did what they could to save her, but she died on Sunday. We're just shattered."

She said her daughter loved nothing more than a night out with her friends and was a popular, fun-loving girl.

"Helen grabbed life by the horns and got on with it. She lived life to the full and we were so proud of her. We will miss our precious daughter very much," she added. Bowland High School head teacher Steve Colling said pupils were very shocked to hear of Helen's death.

"She was a reliable, dependable pupil, who was very committed to school life. She would tackle anything and get involved with sporting activities and school productions. We are all numbed and shocked," he said.

A spokesman at the Gisburn Country Store and Diner, where Helen worked as a part-time catering assistant, said she was "a pleasant girl and always willing to help."

"She had worked here for about two years and was well-liked by customers and staff. We are all very upset," she said.

Parents of youngsters at Bowland High School are to be sent letters pointing out the symptoms of the disease, although pupils will not be treated with antibiotics.

A spokesman for the East Lancashire Health Authority said: "We are reiterating the need for parents to be vigilant and watch out for symptoms."

Helen's funeral will take place at Gisburn Parish Church at 11am on Saturday.

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