THE agony goes on for the parents of tragic four-year-old Callum Rough as doctors remain baffled as to how he died.

Peter Rough and Sarah Thornhill, from Chapelfields, York, who have a two-year-old son JoJo, recently turned to the Evening Press to condemn "sickening rumours" surrounding his death.

The couple told of the whispering campaign in their community accusing them of being in some way responsible. This was despite police and the coroner's office saying there had been no suspicious circumstances.

Callum died after falling ill at the family home, despite paramedics' frantic efforts to revive him.

A spokesman for the York coroner's office said medical experts were still carrying out tests in Newcastle to discover how Callum died, and said it could still take weeks before they got a definitive answer.

There is the outside chance that they may never know.

The results of a post-mortem examination proved inconclusive.

Mrs Thornhill, 20, told the Evening Press they were relieved no more rumours had been spread since they took the decision to speak out.

"It's obviously been really hard but at least the rumours have stopped which is good," she said.

"We very much doubt that we will find out anything before Christmas now. The doctors still can't tell us anything.

"We've had so many cards and messages of support from people which has been lovely."

Callum attended nursery at Westfield Community Primary School and hundreds of people attended his funeral service at St Stephen's Church, in Acomb.

A poignant poem, written by Callum's parents, was read out, which said: "Rest in peace my little angel - our love will always last".

A message of condolence was also read out by the youngster's favourite football team, Liverpool, on behalf of the players and backroom staff.

Updated: 09:37 Tuesday, December 13, 2005