Heartbroken Mick and Joanne Shimmin today told of their agony at waking up on Christmas morning to find their ten-year-old daughter Kirsti dead.

Kirsti, who suffered from an incurable condition known as developmental delay, had died in her parents' bed.

The brave youngster, of Eastwood Crescent, Cottingley, who was severely mentally and physically handicapped, had been suffering from a chest infection and died of bronchial pneumonia.

She needed 24-hour care and was unable to do anything for herself. Her home had been specially adapted. The condition was diagnosed in early childhood.

The couple's two other children, Sam, 12, and Francesca, five, are unaffected by the condition.

Dad Mick, a 41-year-old wood machinist, said the tragedy unfolded on what should have been such a happy day.

He said: "I had a gut feeling that something was not right, she had had pneumonia before but the doctor told us she had a chest infection and gave her antibiotics.

"We went to bed at about 10.30pm on Christmas Eve and brought her in with us. She died peacefully in her sleep.

Mum Joanne, a 41-year-old freelance window dresser, said Kirsti, pictured, would leave a lot of love and happy memories behind.

She said: "We will always remember her giggling and laughter.

"At least she was with us when she died and not in a hospital on her own."

Kirsti, who spent much of her time in a wheelchair, took her first steps when she was four thanks to fundraisers who helped buy her a special walking frame.

She was profoundly disabled and attended Wedgwood Special School in Landscove Avenue, Holme Wood, as well as St Stephen's Respite Unit, West Bowling.

Mick said: "She could do nothing for herself and looking after her was a way of life for us."