A LIVELY teenager has died just days after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia.

Daniel Videan, aged 13, of Mill Lane, Heatley, Lymm, died holding his mother and sister's hands at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool on Sunday.

He first fell ill around three weeks ago with the same symptoms as the flu virus his mum Carole Anne had been suffering with.

He started having nosebleeds and he was taken to the doctor and immediately admitted to hospital on Tuesday last week with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Mrs Videan said: "We were told there was a very low success rate of beating it, but he seemed to be responding."

However, on Saturday night Daniel's condition deteriorated, and he was put on a life support machine after suffering a brain haemorrhage that he never recovered from.

Mrs Videan said: "It has all happened so quickly. There was nothing we could have done differently, but it just goes to show that parents need to be aware and act fast.

"Daniel was really bright, with a photographic memory. He was into computers and a bit of a whizz kid. He was a big, strapping lad, so vibrant and had a big group of friends. Everybody loved him."

His grandmother Betty Gough added: "He was so full of life and he had a lot of promise."

She also paid tribute to Alder Hey Hospital, saying: "The staff and doctors were excellent and we couldn't have coped without them."

Daniel was a second year pupil at Lymm High School. His sister Ellie, aged 11, is in the first year. He used to attend Oughtrington Primary School.

Roger Lounds, Lymm High School head teacher, said: "Daniel's death is incredibly sad for everyone at the school and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

"Even though we only knew him for just over a year, Daniel had a lovely personality and distinct blond, spiky hair. Like many young men, he enjoyed his football and was also a very good discus thrower."

"He was a happy young man and was very well liked by everyone at the school."

The school held an assembly in memory of Daniel on Tuesday, and is hoping to set up a lasting memorial to him.

His funeral will be held at Dunham Crematorium, Altrincham, tomorrow, Friday, at 3.30pm.

The family are asking for donations to be sent to the children's cancer fund at Alder Hey Hospital's oncology unit.