A 32-year-old mum who battled for three years against a disease of the pancreas has died three days after being admitted to hospital.

Hairdresser Denise Atkin, of Hainworth Crag Road, Keighley, died in Airedale General Hospital, Steeton as a result of complications relating to her pancreatitis.

Denise, a former pupil of Bingley Grammar School, who had two sons, Thomas, six, and four year-old Joseph, became ill ten days ago and died soon after.

She had been living with her 66-year-old mum Doris Alderson after separating from her husband, Simon, about five months ago.

Her sister, Lorraine Berry, 37, of Liverpool, said: "Denise did not die of the pancreatitis but of the complications which followed it. It had caused liver damage and other problems relating to her digestive system. Her death has come as a great shock to us all. We have been so used to her going into hospital and spending a few weeks there to recover and then coming home again. We expected the same on this occasion."

Mrs Alderson said the pancreatic disease had struck about three years ago and nobody could explain why it happened.

Denise had undergone two serious operations, but complications had developed with her digestive system.

"Denise was a very happy girl, gregarious and was always concerned about her appearance. But recently she was very poorly," she said.

Her health started to deteriorate last Christmas and she had been so poorly that she found it difficult to work.

Denise was a former pupil at Cullingworth Primary School and Parkside Middle School. She had also studied hairdressing and beauty therapy at Bradford College.

Her funeral was taking place today at St John's Church, Ingrow.

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