A couple whose daughter died from chicken pox after being given steroids at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, have launched a High Court appeal to force watchdogs to investigate her death.

Art and Victoria McConnell, of East St Helens Street, Abingdon, said they are insulted that the General Medical Council has thrown out their complaints about nine-year-old Lexie's treatment.

The steroids she was given were unlicensed for use on children, and the McConnells said they will not give up fighting because other children could be at risk.

Mr McConnell said: "Lexie was definitely given a dosage of steroids which was detrimental to her safety and there are thousands of children receiving similar amounts of treatment and someone else could die, too.

"It's hurting us to carry on fighting, but we can't leave it like this and it's an insult that the GMC has thrown out our case."

Lexie was admitted to the JR in 1992 after losing sight in her left eye. After receiving steroids, she developed chicken pox, which eventually killed her three months later.

Last month, the GMC's Preliminary Proceedings Committee dropped the case instead of referring to the next complaints stage.

The GMC would not comment on the High Court Judicial Review, but in a letter to the McConnell's, spokesman Wale Kadiri said the committee "did not consider that the allegations - even if proved - could amount to serious professional misconduct".