A NORTH-EAST youngster who captured the hearts of staff at the region's first children's hospice has died.

Such was little Matthew Bacon's popularity, he was twice chosen to take centre stage at opening ceremonies held at Stockton's Butterwick Children's Hospice.

Matthew, seven, from Darlington, who suffered from cerebral palsy, met pop star Gary Barlow when the facility opened two years ago.

He followed that up this year by presenting a thank-you card to Health Secretary and Darlington MP Alan Milburn, on his visit to officially open the hospice.

Last night, his mother Angie, of Drinkfield Crescent, said the family, father Ian and brothers Travis and Connor, had been "blessed" by having Matthew around.

She said: "He was a very special boy who loved his cuddles and, despite all the illness, he led a very full life. Everyone who met him loved him - you cannot imagine the amount of cards we have got from people.

"We were told by the doctors that he would not live to adulthood, but to get seven years out of him we feel blessed that he was with us so long."

Matthew, who went to Beaumont Hill First School, in Darlington, was one of the first referrals to the Butterwick hospice where he received respite care for his condition.

The hospice was financed, thanks partly to a huge fundraising effort by readers of The Northern Echo, who collected £500,000.

Mrs Bacon said: "Matthew was born 13 weeks premature and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

"He went to the hospice every couple of months where he was pampered like mad.

"He loved the sensory room with the bright lights, the hydrotherapy pool and would get lots of walks.

"The staff at the hospice were fabulous with him. They are like a second family."

Matthew died in his sleep on Tuesday. His funeral will be held at 12.45pm on Monday, at St Mark's Church, North Road, Darlington.

Floral tributes or donations to The Butterwick Children's Hospice can be sent to John Meynell Funeral Service, 150 North Road, Darlington