A YOUNG Bolton boy being treated for leukaemia died when he suffered a rare reaction to a drug, an inquest heard.

Daniel Kirkman, aged eight, died in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital last November when the drug he was given caused his brain to swell.

The court heard that Daniel was in remission after being diagnosed with leukaemia last May, but was admitted to hospital in November.

Two consultants told the inquest that Daniel, of Raikes Road, Darcy Lever, suffered an extremely rare reaction to the drug methotrexate, which is used widely to treat leukaemia, a cancer of the blood.

Dr John Granger, consultant paediatrician and haematologist at the hospital, said: "This reaction is exceptionally rare and happens in only an handful of cases. The swelling put pressure on the brain stem and ultimately caused Daniel's very tragic death."

But Dr Granger said the drug was approved for use in the treatment of children suffering from leukaemia. He said not using the drug could cause the leukaemia to return and patients to suffer a relapse.

He said that in very rare cases, patients could develop an adverse reaction to the drug at any time during their treatment.

In response to the concerns of Daniel's parents that morphine treatment could have masked the brain swelling symptoms, Dr Granger said the "time delay" incurred would not have made a difference.

Bolton Coroner Jennifer Leeming recorded a verdict that Daniel's death was "due to a complication of treatment for leukaemia".

She said: "All deaths are tragic. I can imagine no greater pain than of losing a child, particularly a child who had undergone treatment with courage. He was a star."

Speaking after the inquest, Daniel's mother, Angel, said: "He went into hospital and never came out."

Mrs Kirkman, together with her husband, Peter, was forced to make the agonising decision to turn off Daniel's life-support machine.

The Bolton Wanderers fan and Lever Edge Primary School pupil was due to appear at the Reebok Stadium with his football heroes a few days before he died.

Mrs Kirkman said: "His brother, Timothy, aged 10, and sisters, Yvonne, aged 12, and Sarah aged two, remember him.

"He is in our thoughts all the time, and will never be forgotten. His memory will live on."