Family and friends are distraught after little Megan Cobby died suddenly after losing a six-year battle against leukaemia.

Megan won the hearts of our readers who keenly followed her progress from the time she was diagnosed with the illness as a toddler.

In the summer they showered her with more than 500 cards and gifts, supporting the little girl in her battle with a disease which she had managed to fight for so long.

Her family were hopeful the eight-year-old may have finally beaten the illness in the spring when she seemed to make excellent progress after pioneering treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children in London.

She returned to her home in Meadowview, Brighton, at the end of June after undergoing stem cell transplant treatment using cells from her mother Julie's blood.

But earlier this month Megan picked up an infection and was admitted to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children in Brighton, where her condition deteriorated suddenly.

She was transferred back to Great Ormond Street where she collapsed on Sunday and was placed on a life support system.

Her family, including one of her brothers, Daniel, were gathered at her bedside when she finally lost her battle with the disease on Wednesday.

Megan's grandmother, Maureen Finnemore, told The Argus: "We want to thank people for all their kindness and all the cards people have sent. We are so upset.

"She was doing so well - it was such a shock. We can't imagine how Julie feels. Megan and her mum were inseperable.

"I told Julie that baby has had a wonderful life so she should not feel guilty but now it's Julie who is left to suffer."

Megan became ill before she was three but battled through several crises which almost claimed her life. Her disease went into remission but returned and a bone marrow donor was sought.

When a search for a match failed, doctors decided to use Megan's mother as a stem cell donor as she was a close match for her daughter.

In preparation for the transplant, Megan underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy to destroy her bone marrow so she was ready to receive her mother's stem cells.

A funeral will be held next week with family flowers only but anyone who wants to make a donation is asked to make it to the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust on 01403 713595.