OWEN Cubbon's time on earth might have been cruelly cut short, but the memory of his beaming smile will live on in the hearts of his loving family.

Four and a half-year-old Owen, who suffered from an ultra-rare genetic disorder, Congenital Cockayne syndrome, died after suffering a heart attack.

Earlier, Owen from Haydock had been rushed to the emergency dentist in St Helens with bleeding gums brought on by his condition.

Mum Emma explained what happened: "We got him an emergency appointment at the dentist for that day. As we were filling the forms out, we noticed his lips were going pale. He looked like he was drifting off. The staff there were brilliant. They didn't panic and got the oxygen waiting for the ambulance to come."

"When they came, they grabbed him and rushed him into the ambulance. He took his last breath as he was still in the dentist."

Went peacefully

Owen was taken to Whiston Hospital, where they tried for fifteen minutes to resuscitate him, but he never regained consciousness.

Emma who had been told that Owen's life expectancy would be short added: "We were just thankful that he went so peacefully on a clear and sunny day. He looked like he fell asleep."

Owen's brothers, Michael, 10 and five-year-old Aiden kissed him goodbye.

Owen attended Mill Green School and the Star Centre on College Street, two places to which Emma is deeply grateful.

"They taught me a few things about what I could do with Owen. He could do more than you could imagine. They made him more aware of the world."

Emma added that she would remember him for his magic smile and happiness around people; " I'll remember him for showing me so much joy. He was perfect in my eyes."