A TODDLER who died when she and her mother were hit by a car in Northern Ireland were originally from Darlington, it emerged yesterday.

Sixteen-month-old Aisling Marie Nic-Suibhre was struck as her mother pushed her pram along the street where they lived, in Ardmore, County Londonderry, at 6pm on Sunday.

Aisling died in hospital early yesterday morning.

Her mother, Charlene Ryan, 19, grew up in Bishop Close, in the Haughton area of Darlington, where she lived until recently.

Members of Charlene's family, including her divorced parents - Patrick, 58, an Arriva bus driver, and Maeve - still live in the town. She also has three sisters and a brother.

Friends and neighbours of the Ryan family described Aisling, who would have been two in September, as an "absolutely gorgeous" little girl, with dark, curly hair and big eyes.

Last night, Miss Ryan was still in a Londonderry hospital, suffering from hip and pelvic injuries, but her condition is not thought to be serious. Her devastated family were at her bedside.

Tragically, her family in Darlington had planned to fly to Northern Ireland later this week to attend Aisling's christening, which was due to be on Saturday.

* A 17-year-old man yesterday appeared before Londonderry Magistrates, charged with causing death by dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily injury.

Stephen Thomas White, of Delwood, Eglinton, Northern Ireland, made no reply to the charges, and was bailed to appear again in eight weeks, on condition that he lives with his parents and does not drive.