THE mum of a girl who died of a massive asthma attack just hours before her 21st birthday today called for more awareness of the killer condition.

Grieving Beryl Edwards was speaking after her only daughter Vicky collapsed and died in the arms of a close friend just hours before reaching her birthday milestone.

Today Beryl, of Ribble Avenue, Darwen, called for more research into the condition, which kills one person every seven hours in the UK, saying: "Asthma is a killer. There needs to be more awareness of how serious it is."

Unemployed Vicky was diagnosed with the asthma at the age of two and the condition had led to her losing a number of jobs and prevented her completing a business studies course at a Leeds college.

But Beryl says her daughter remained a "bubbly girl who loved to enjoy herself".

Vicky had been enjoying early birthday celebrations in Leeds just hours before she collapsed. An ambulance was called and Vicky was taken to hospital but efforts to save her were in vain.

Beryl said: "She loved shopping and was full of life. We were like mates rather than mum and daughter.

"We went shopping and on holiday together and spoke to each other every day -- I have lost a mate as well as my daughter."

Vicky had two brothers, James, 27, and Ashley, 19.

After enjoying a meal with her family Vicky had gone home with a friend who said he would give her a lift home.

She said: "We said 'see you later' and off she went. Two hours later her friend phoned saying she was in hospital."

Talking of the condition which took her daughter, Beryl said: "A lot of people think it is just about people being wheezy and needing an inhaler but if you are having an attack it's hard to breathe and sometimes the inhaler doesn't work because you can't take the steroid in.

"It has not really been publicised how dangerous it can be and although there is a lot of research being done into asthma I don't think the general public are well enough informed.

"People need to know so that they can help if someone is having an attack."

A spokesman for the National Asthma Campaign said: "We were sorry to hear about the tragic death of Vicky.

"Asthma is a serious condition and over 1,400 people die each year as a result.

"Ninety per cent of these deaths are preventable and we recommend that all people with asthma should ask their GP for a personal asthma plan which gives written information on what treatment they should take and when; how to spot if their symptoms are worsening and what to do in an emergency."

Because Vicky carried a donor card a number of her body parts have been used to help others.

A service will be held at Cottingley Crematorium tomorrow and unopened 21st birthday cards will be placed in Vicky's coffin.

The Asthma Helpline can be contacted on 0845 7010203.