AN active 23-year-old has died days after being struck down by a rare flesh-eating bug.

Electronics technician Michelle Bateman went to her GP complaining of a pain coming from a small spot on her lower leg and was given painkillers.

When her condition worsened, a second visit to the doctor failed to show up a problem.

Days later she was left bed-ridden and wracked with pain. Her frantic parents took her to Gateshead's Queen Elizabeth Hospital on October 26.

Michelle was rushed into theatre for an emergency operation after surgeons diagnosed the rare flesh-eating infection, necrotising faciitis.

She was placed in intensive care where doctors stabilised her over the weekend.

But she lost her fight for life on Monday morning after suffering massive organ failure.

Her death has left her parents Frank, 52, and Kath, 50, and sister, Claire, 27, devastated.

Her boyfriend, chef John Bell, 25, said: "I just can't believe she has gone. It's just so unfair, so tragic. How could this happen to someone who was so healthy and happy.

"We had known each other for about five years and had started a relationship about two months ago. Things were going great.

"She was such a bubbly, active girl, who went to the gym and enjoyed going out with her friends. She was always laughing and joking.

"She joked about the pains in her leg and just laughed it off. She went to the doctor and got pain killers.

"She went to the doctors again and was struggling to walk, but we never thought it was anything serious.

"But a few days later she was unable to get out of bed because she was in so much pain and her mum and dad took her to hospital.

"They operated on her immediately. They said they managed to cut out some of the bug and were very hopeful and she was improving over the weekend.

"But I was at home on Monday and her dad rang me to say she had gone. I still can't believe it's happening. It's like a nightmare. It just happened so quick."

At their home in Gates-head, Michelle's mother, Kath, a factory worker, was too distressed to speak about her death.

Her lorry driver father, Frank, said: "We have many questions that are unanswered but at the moment we just want to grieve for our daughter."

A spokesman for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital confirmed a 23-year-old woman had died after contracting necrotising faciitis.

Michelle's funeral will take place today at Birtly Crematorium, in Gateshead.