A BOY aged 12 has collapsed and died after drinking cider on a playing field with a group of friends.

The heartbroken family of Gary Daniel Young, of Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, today appealed for parents to be alert to the danger alcohol posed to their children.

Police said today they were investigating how Gary died, and how he and his friends got the alcohol.

The Market Weighton School pupil collapsed on July 19, and was taken to York District Hospital, but died shortly after.

A post-mortem examination showed he died of aspiration pneumonitis, or inhaling his own vomit, after drinking alcohol.

His mother, Sarah Young, 33, and his stepfather Steven Waudby, 34, said if Gary had not had the cider he would still be alive.

He was not an "out-of-control yob" and would not have bought the alcohol himself. He only ever had a small amount of alcohol once or twice a year at special family occasions and they never kept any in the house.

They said: "Gary was a very popular, wonderful boy who liked climbing trees, his skateboard and playing the drums.

"Gary would not have bought the alcohol himself as he never had enough money to pay for it and he would never have asked anyone else to buy it for him.

"Parents need to know what has happened to Gary and should know what their children are up to.

"You cannot wrap children up in cotton wool but they should be told and made aware of the dangers of drinking alcohol."

Gary has a twin sister, Hannah, an older brother, Joseph Tubridy, 14 and a younger sister, Amber, two.

He suffered from asthma, but lived life to the full, playing the drums in a band and riding his skateboard.

His ambition was to go to college and play the drums as a career.

Sarah and Steven thanked everyone for all the letters sent saying how much Gary would be missed. They are planning to put them in his coffin.

They added: "Everyone who knew him remembered him as a lovely, warm person with a fantastic smile."

A date has not yet been decided for Gary's funeral.

Updated: 11:48 Friday, August 02, 2002