Perth Mum's Funeral To Be Held

An orphaned toddler trapped in a flat with his mother's dead body for several days has been told she is now "a star in heaven."

Mason Martin, 3, was rescued from the flat after his mother Lydia MacDonald, 28, apparently suffered a fatal asthma attack.

Her funeral takes place today and mourners have been told to wear bright clothes to celebrate the life of the devoted single mother.

Mason's maternal grandparents Ron and Linda MacDonald have taken the toddler in to look after him and said he was recovering well after being released from hospital.

"He still asks for his mum now and again and that is really heartbreaking for us," Mr MacDonald, 66, said at his home near Scone, Perthshire.

"He's actually doing really well. He was in hospital for a couple of days and now we are caring for him. He was told his mother had died.

"We're not really sure he totally understands, but we've told him that his mother is in heaven and that she's a star now."

He said a post mortem had concluded that an asthma attack had been the cause of Lydia's death after she collapsed at her home in Lickley Court, Perth.

Friends and family will gather at Perth Crematorium for the funeral today and they have been asked to wear bright colours and make a donation to Asthma UK.

Lydia, who attended Meigle Primary and Blairgowrie High School, had been diagnosed with asthma as a two-year-old and had suffered a number of attacks which led to 999 calls for medical help.

Mason was found in a disheveled and confused condition by police who forced entry to Lydia's flat last week after friends expressed concern about her welfare.

Neighbours reportedly heard the toddler trying to get help by shouting through the letterbox: "Please help me wake up my mummy."

Mason's father Bobby Martin was 26 when he died in December 2012.

The tragic toddler was found in a dirty and hungry state on Wednesday 10 June and was immediately taken to Perth Royal Infirmary for treatment. He is said to have suffered no long-term health effects from his ordeal.

Police Scotland were called to the flat amid concerns that Lydia and her son had not been seen for up to five days. Her last social media posting was on Friday 5 June.

Mr MacDonald said: "Lydia was a very funny and caring person who would do anything for anyone. She was very happy-go-lucky and lived life to the full.

"She absolutely adored Mason to bits and was a wonderful mum to him. He was her entire life. Everything she did was for him."

He said his daughter had given up work to care for her son full-time, but was planning to return to work after he was settled at nursery school. He said she hoped to get a hairdressing job.

Lydia described herself as "a full-time mummy" on her Facebook page, and friends took to social media to pay tribute.

Friend Mark Clephane said: "Another life taken far too soon. I can't get wee Mason out of my head. Poor little boy."

Ashley Heron said: "My gorgeous wee pal, still can't get my head around it. Words can't describe how much I'm gonna miss you."

Mr MacDonald said: "This has been traumatic and heartbreaking but our priority now is our grandson Mason. We can't begin to imagine what he went through alone in that flat with his dead mummy lying beside him."