THE family of an 11-year-old boy who died in his sleep have described him as a ‘little fighter’.

Logan Cockcroft’s family have spoken of their shock at his sudden death on Monday, April 6. They say despite the youngster’s long-term health problems, he had been in good health.

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The Ridgewood High School pupil was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy after he was starved of oxygen for twenty minutes at birth.

His parents, Stewart and Jill, say he was ‘happy and as healthy as he’d been in a long time’ at the time of his death.

Mrs Cockroft, of Ighten Road, Burnley, said: “Logan was the happiest boy you could ever meet with the loveliest cheeky grin.

“Everyone who met him loved him, he was such a pleasure to be around.

“Although he couldn’t speak and struggled to control his movements, he would certainly make himself known. He was a fighter and very determined.

“On the weekend he died he had seemed in really good health, he had gained some weight recently and was looking really well.

“We had gone for a nice long family walk on the Sunday and we put him to bed thinking that he was fit and well, but he didn’t wake up.”

As a baby Logan struggled to feed and when he was two he underwent a operation at Manchester Children’s Hospital to have a feeding tube inserted in his stomach.

But he lost weight and spent nearly a year in and out of hospital after contracting infections.

A surgeon at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool spotted his large intestine had been skewered when the feeding tube was inserted.

Mrs Cockroft added: “Following the operation to correct it, Logan put on weight and was much better.

“Over the years he has struggled, particularly during the winter when he was prone to chest infections and he would spend a lot of time in hospital.

“He also contracted swine flu and his lung collapsed. He had a perforated bowel, but he always fought and pulled through.

“It’s hard to come to terms with his death as it was so sudden and despite his other health problems he seemed really well.”

His father said: “When Logan was well he loved swimming, he really enjoyed hydrotherapy sessions.

“He loved day trips to Camelot and taking the dog to the park. He loved his time at Holly Grove Primary School and was settling in at Ridgewood.”

An initial post-mortem into the youngster’s death was inconclusive, and further tests are due.