BRAVE toddler Charlotte Scott has lost her battle for life against a rare genetic illness.

Charlotte, of Pottergate, Helmsley, who would have been celebrating her third birthday on Friday, died in Scarborough Hospital at the weekend.

She had been suffering from the genetic disorder Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome (RTS) since she was born.

Charlotte baffled doctors for months when she failed to grow, and spent the first seven months of her life in hospital.

However, she battled against the illness, and was described by doctors at the time as having a "heart like a lion".

During her short life Charlotte's family and friends helped to raise funds for the Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome Support Group which helps parents of children with the condition. Sufferers of syndrome tend to have short stature, slow growth, broad thumbs and first toes, as well as moderate to severe mental retardation.

Charlotte's funeral service will be held on Friday at Ashdale Road Chapel, Helmsley at 1pm, followed by interment.

The family has requested that flowers and donations be given to the Children's Ward at Scarborough Hospital and the Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome Support Group.

The inquest into the death of Charlotte was opened yesterday.

The deputy coroner for the northern part of the county, John Broadbridge, said she was taken to Scarborough Hospital with an infection last Thursday.

She died two days later.

Mr Broadbridge said further reports and tests were required, and adjourned the inquest.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.