An 11-year-old boy died in hospital after collapsing during a SATS exam at primary school.

The death of Leslie Elkington horrified staff and fellow pupils who immediately called emergency services.

Leslie was confirmed dead in hospital a short while later.

His death comes as the government's Standard Assessment Tests have been criticised by parents and teaching organisations for putting young children under huge pressure.

It is not known whether Leslie's death was linked to the exam and the cause of death has not yet been established. An inquest was opened and adjourned on Monday.

The youngster, from Stanley, Co Durham, died last Thursday following a morning of exams at Shield Row Primary School in the town.

Eric Patterson, head teacher at Shield Row, said Leslie had been a well-liked boy who was always fit and healthy.

"The school has been absolutely devastated by his sudden and unexpected death and our thoughts are now with his family," he added.

Mr Patterson said the school closed early at 12 noon last Friday, the day after Leslie's death, as a token of respect to him and his family, after pupils attended a special assembly in his memory.

Durham County Council's Education Director Keith Mitchell said he had been deeply shocked to hear of Leslie's sudden death.

"It came like a bolt out of the blue to everyone concerned, his family, friends, the school and ourselves, " he added.

"From what we know he had no previous medical history that would have indicated anything like this was likely.

"Naturally, the sudden death of any young person is a matter of the very greatest concern to their school and to us as the education authority, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, relatives and friends at this very sad time.

"I have asked for a full report on the circumstances surrounding last Thursday morning's events, but until the results of a post mortem examination are known, we are not able to speculate on why this young life has been lost."