THE father of the first child in Britain to survive a pioneering bone marrow transplant has threatened to take her out of school over a funding dispute.

Sophie Butler, aged seven, suffers from the rare genetic disorder Fanconi Anaemia but following the transplant she is now caught up in a row over the withdrawal of the full time supervision she receives.

The plucky pupil, who attends Blackshaw County Primary School, Breightmet, is continually supervised to assist her going to the toilet, changing her clothing and a personal school meal assistant helps her at break time to cut up food.

But Bolton's education chiefs say funding has run out for Sophie's full-time supervision.

Her father Philip said: "I am furious. The council said Sophie does not need this help anymore, but that is totally wrong. She is still recovering and we have had to take her for brain scans.

"She suffers from water on the brain and a fall could kill her. It all comes down to money, and that is not good enough for my little girl. I will be taking her out of the school until she gets the care she needs."

Mr Butler and wife Karen were told Sophie would not reach her fifth birthday without the bone marrow transplant -- but a world-wide search for a traditional donor was proving fruitless.

Sophie's condition was beginning to deteriorate when doctors testing and storing the blood from women giving birth in Newcastle found a perfect match for Sophie.

She was expected to be in hospital over a month but bounced back from the gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy so quickly that she wa back home in Lenham Gardens in Breightmet after just three weeks.

Staff at Blackshaw School declined to comment on the issue saying the matter was in the hands of the LEA.

A spokesman for Bolton LEA said: "Sophie receives what is written on her statement and that has always been the case. For a period of time the school had some enhanced funding, which made it up to full time supervision but that ceased last June.

"Her parents were contacted at that time, so I am surprised they have brought it up again. She still has access to a school meals assistant when it is needed."