Brave leukaemia patient Jonathan Clark has lost his battle for life.

The 11-year-old, who was given a bone marrow transplant just last month, had been in intensive care for a week. He died at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital yesterday.

The schoolboy, of Fettiplace Road, Barton, first hit the headlines when it was revealed he was being refused disability living allowance - because he could walk 75 yards.

Despite the fact he could have died any day, the Benefits Agency refused to offer his family any cash help.

But after pressure from the Oxford Mail, he was granted the allowance.

Less than three weeks ago, Jonathan spoke of his joy at being home after the transplant operation in London's Royal Marsden Hospital. He told us the first thing he enjoyed was egg sandwiches, and added: "I helped my dad try to win a vacuum cleaner in a magazine wordsearch competition, went shopping and then visited my nan's for dinner."

He topped it off by watching his favourite football team, Manchester United, beat Juventus on TV.

"My favourite player is Ryan Giggs," he said.

But Jonathan's joy was to be short-lived. He was taken back to hospital the following day and his condition worsened after he picked up an infection.

Dad Gary, 42, who had also spoken of his delight at having Jonathan home, said today: "I just feel distraught. I don't feel ready to talk about it at the moment."

He added that his son's funeral would be arranged within the next two days.

Story date: Tuesday 11 May

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