KIND-HEARTED Julie Holmes is to raise her best friend's son, left orphaned when he found his mother dead at home.

Daniel Fox, 12, discovered his mother, Caroline, 37, dead after she suffered a massive asthma attack.

Caroline's best friend was determined the youngster would not go into care and has now taken Daniel into her own home.

Ms Holmes, 31, of Lemington, Newcastle, said: "Caroline was in homes all her life and I was determined that wouldn't happen to Daniel.

"I know she found it terrible in care - nobody likes it - and Caroline wouldn't want anything like that happening to her son."

Caroline was found dead in December last year and an inquest found she had died from an asthma attack.

Newcastle coroner David Mitford praised Julie's decision to take care of Daniel.

The inquest heard that Caroline had been feeling unwell and had sent Daniel to the local chip shop to get himself some dinner while she went to lie down.

When Daniel returned home he was unable to wake his mother and had run to Julie, who lived nearby.

Giving evidence, pathologist Dr Peter Cooper said: "The only explanation for her death appears to be asthma."

Mr Mitford recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.