TWO workers at a leisure centre where a young footballer collapsed and died have been suspended.

The action comes after it emerged that trained staff at the Saughton Sports Comp-lex in Edinburgh failed to use an on-site defibrillator during the emergency.

Leisure officials suspen-ded the pair on full pay on Wednesday and an investigation was launched into whether the sports centre's emergency operation plan was followed properly.

Jamie Skinner, 13, collapsed on the pitch while making his debut for Tynecastle FC under-14s on December 22 after a suspected heart attack.

Despite frantic efforts by coaches and parents to save him, he was later pronounced dead at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

A parent who witnessed the tragedy said yesterday she was pleased that an investigation into the incident was being carried out.

The mother, who asked not to be named, said: "We don't know whether using a defibrillator earlier could have saved Jamie, but he deserved the chance.

"It's important that there is an investigation to try to prevent anything like this from happening again."

"Edinburgh Leisure have been open and honest. They have spoken to other parents to get their accounts, and seem to genuinely want to find out what went on."

Jamie's father, George, 54, said that the family did not want to comment on the investigation while it was ongoing.

The youngster collapsed five minutes into the second half of the match and an ambulance arrived 11 minutes after the 999 call, according to the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Graeme Gardiner, director of operations at Edinburgh Leisure, said: "We have taken action to ascertain if the emergency operation plan was carried out in accordance with our standards.

"We have concluded that the most appropriate action at this time is to suspend the two members of staff who were on duty pending further investigation.

"Edinburgh Leisure is continuing to co-operate fully with police."

Jamie's funeral was held at Craigmillar Castle Park Cemetery, Edinburgh last Friday.