MOST of us can only imagine the terrible heartache when a child dies.

Meningitis seems to claim our youngsters with horrifying speed, and the loss must be dreadful.

Mark Booth was only 12 when he died from meningoccocal meningitis earlier this year, after falling ill only the day before.

He was a popular youngster at Westhoughton High School, and now fellow pupils have raised hundreds of pounds in his memory.

The school has also framed Mark's last painting and compiled a Book of Memories containing stories about him, which has been given to his parents, Susan and John Booth.

This may only seem a small consolation in their loss. But it will probably help his loving parents in the months and years to come to know that Mark was so well-liked and respected by so many other children.