THE funeral will take place tomorrow of an eight-year-old girl who died suddenly during a school games lesson.

Charlotte Turnbull-Adams collapsed last Thursday while practising for sports day at St Margaret's Primary School at Neville's Cross, Durham City.

She was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham by ambulance but was confirmed dead on arrival.

She had suffered a blocked artery leading from her heart.

Charlotte, whose parents Deborah and Michael are divorced, lived with her mother and brothers, Kristian, 5, and Philip, 4, in York Crescent on the Newton Hall Estate.

Mrs Turnbull-Adams said: "Charlotte was a physically normal little girl so it came as an awful shock, especially as she was quite active and threw herself into everything she did."

She described her daughter as "a good girl who loved school" and who had lots of friends.

Charlotte liked art and music and was planning to join the school choir next term.

She was a member of a children's group at the Botanic Gardens in Durham City and was also hoping to join a girls' football team.

Mrs Turnbull-Adams said: "She wasn't the greatest academic but she was very arty and worked hard.

"I went to parents' evening only last Tuesday and her teacher told me how hard she had been working and how well she had done."

She added: "She was vivacious and full of energy and loved being the centre of attention. Everyone is going to miss her."

Dianne Mowbray-Pape, headteacher at St Margaret's School, said: "The whole school is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic death of such a happy young girl who was simply enjoying outdoor activities on a lovely summer's day with her school friends.

"Our deepest sympathies are with her parents and family at this unhappy time."

A spokesman for Durham Education Authority said no-one had been aware that Charlotte had any health problems and the authority was satisfied that, following her collapse, school staff had followed the correct procedure.

"We too would like to express our thorough and sincere sympathy with her family," he added.

Updated: 15.45 Tuesday, July 10