A GRIEVING 13-year-old sister led the tributes to tragic four-year-old Dylan Lomax, who died from an asthma attack.

Jodie Lomax spoke of her family's devastation at the loss of the youngster.

She told the 150 people who gathered at St Simon and St Jude's church in Great Lever yesterday: "Mum cannot understand why she has lost her little boy. We miss you so much and mum wishes she could feel your touch again."

The brave youngster spoke on behalf of the grieving family his mother, Valerie, father Gareth Everett, and two brothers, Marcus, aged nine, and Byron, aged 10.

An abundance of flowers featuring heartfelt messages were left outside the church along with a wreath spelling out the word "Son". It carried a card with the message: "Tiny flower lent not given to bud on Earth and bloom in heaven."

Dylan, of Freshfield Avenue, Great Lever, suffered from mild asthma and was taken to hospital on Saturday, May 27, after becoming ill.

He was released on Sunday morning and seemed to make a full recovery.

But the following Tuesday night, he took a turn for the worst and was taken to hospital in an ambulance. He died 10 minutes later, despite desperate attempts by the doctors to revive him.

The family has thanked hospital staff for trying their best to save him.

The street outside the church was lined with people as the hearse arrived. Inside was a huge wreath spelling out the words "Dilly Flop", Dylan's nickname, in white flowers.

At the service, Rev Glenda Bush said: "All the family are shocked and devastated by the death and sadness has permeated the whole community.

"At just four years old, like many little boys of his age, he was mischievous. He liked watching Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder, as well as playing on his PlayStation."

Margaret Burke, of Lever Edge Lane Nursery where Dylan was a pupil, paid tribute to the little boy. She said: "He was a lively four-year-old who had many friends.

"The time in nursery is special in a child's life and our love goes out to the family."