A BOLTON family are facing a heartbreak Christmas after the death of their precious 11-week-old baby girl.

Tiny Abbie Leigh Jones died in Royal Manchester Children's Hospital after her mother Kerry, aged 16, and grandmother Sue had kept a daily vigil at the bedside of the desperately ill baby.

The family, from Tonge Moor, have been hoping Abbie Leigh would be coming home for Christmas and Kerry had been wrapping presents for the baby on the night she died. Abbie Leigh was born in September at the Royal Bolton Hospital and was diagnosed with several life-threatening complications including enlarged heart muscles, enlarged kidneys, respiratory problems and brain damage.

Mum Kerry was too devastated to talk about her daughter's loss, but speaking from the family home on Crossmoor Drive, grandmother Susan Jones aged 37, spoke of the bravery of her first grandchild who refused to give up even when all the odds were stacked against her.

"We were told that because of Abbie Leigh's problems she would never have a normal life," said Mrs Jones. "We were first told that she may live for three years but later told she may not live a year.

"She was so strong and she was a beautiful child. We only had 11 weeks with her but at least we had those 11 weeks."

After receiving treatment at the Royal Bolton, she was transferred to the Manchester hospital and was due to be moved to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Merseyside.

Mrs Jones said they were preparing for Abbie Leigh to come home for the first time when they received a phone call from the hospital telling them to expect the worst.

She said: "Kerry had been wrapping Christmas presents for her on the night she died.

"It was devastating for us all but Kerry has been very strong. It has affected us all terribly and we don't know how we can face Christmas."

Kerry and Susan say they have strength and comfort through their family, particularly Kerry's sisters and brothers Lesley, aged 17, Peter, aged 13 and Tanesia, aged five.

Mrs Jones said: "It was difficult trying to explain it to Tanesia but we have said that she has gone to live on a star with Jesus."

The family have also found strength through their church, Bolton Pentecostal.

Mrs Jones said: "The staff at the hospital did everything they could and our friends, neighbours and everyone else has been so supportive that we cannot thank them enough.

"She will never be forgotten. In the time she was here she has generated so much love."