A TEENAGER who had bravely fought leukaemia for two years, has died.

14-year-old Lianne Neilson woke up on Sunday morning, wished her mum a happy 40th birthday, closed her eyes and passed away.

It was a tragic end for Lianne of Headley Road, Leyland, who has bravely battled against leukaemia for more than two years.

She had endured months of intensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hair and weight loss and finally a bone marrow transplant.

Her body had rejected the new tissue.

At 5pm on Sunday, with her family - dad Duncan, sisters Ruth, 16, and Carol, 17, and aunts, uncles and cousins - at her bedside in Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Lianne died.

"It was my birthday," said Marjorie tearfully: "She woke up, said 'happy birthday Mum' and just drifted off. She didn't wake again."

Lianne had been in the hospital for 11 weeks, having treatment to curb her body's reaction to the bone marrow.

"She wasn't home for long after the operation," said Marjorie regretfully: "Last week her kidneys packed up. She was in intensive care on a ventilator but there was nothing anyone could do for her."

Sympathy cards have been pouring in from well-wishers including her former school mates at St Mary's High, and the Neilsons are being comforted by friends and family at home.

A holiday in Florida, which had been planned as a treat for Lianne after her treatment, has been cancelled, as has a visit Manchester United Football Club team members - Lianne was a devoted fan.

A disco arranged for Lianne on August 8 at Priory Club in Leyland is to go ahead with proceeds going towards a proper headstone for Lianne's grave.

The funeral date will not be set until some members of the family return from a holiday abroad.

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