A TEENAGER found hanged in Breightmet did not attend an annual medical which may have revealed a history of self-harm, a court heard.

Aleysha McLoughlin, who also used the surname Rothwell, died aged 16 at her foster family's home in Crossdale Road on April 3.

A pre-inquest review held at Bolton Coroner's Court yesterday was told that Aleysha, as a "looked-after child", would ordinarily have undergone an annual medical review.

But the teenager did not want to go to one prior to her death.

Coroner Jennifer Leeming said: "Looked-after children as Aleysha was would ordinarily undergo an annual medical review.

"I assume that medical might involve some form of looking at the child's person.

"I'm not convinced that would reveal self-harm but it might have done.

"I understand Aleysha did not want to have her annual medical.

"It might have revealed a history of self-harm."

Health and social care bosses who launched an investigation into Aleysha's death were represented at the hearing.

Bolton Council has prepared a safeguarding report to assist the coroner and Ms Leeming asked a representative to convert it to a written statement so the names of individual children are not disclosed at the inquest.

Ms Leeming also had concerns about the support for children who might be damaged by the circumstances which first alerted authorities of their vulnerability.

She added: "The support there is for looked-after children who might be potentially damaged by the original circumstances that brought them into the looked after regime.

"What system is in place to advise on damage that may have ensued because of these circumstances?"

Greater Manchester West NHS Foundation Trust attended the hearing, along with the council, police and members of the McLoughlin family.

Members of the Rothwell and McLoughlin families are expected to attend the hearing and Ms Leeming said the hearing would not be the right setting for any disputes.

She said: "The focus of my inquest is Aleysha.

"I understand the concerns but my inquest is not the forum for them to ventilate the history of any grievance they have against one another."

Aleysha's inquest has been fixed provisionally for March 9 and it could last up to five days.

The 16-year-old had been discharged from hospital just hours before her death, prompting health chiefs to launch a review.

A £4,000 headstone for Aleysha has been installed at Tonge Fold cemetery by relatives, while a baby niece, expected in April, a year on from Aleysha's death, to be named after her.

Aleysha grew up in Brazley Avenue, Great Lever, and attended St Simon and St Jude School, Great Lever, before moving to Wigan.

She returned to Bolton about 15 months before her death, and met Beth during her time at St Catherine’s Academy.