An anaesthetist has been struck off after a five-year-old girl died while having a tooth extracted.

Karla Selley had been given a general anaesthetic during the operation at Town-gate dental surgery in Leyland, Lancashire, in August 1999 - she choked to death.

The General Medical Council found on Thursday Dr George Vanner, 68, of Badgers Wood, Preston, Lancashire, guilty of serious professional misconduct.

Banning him from practising, the council's professional standards committee described his conduct as "dangerous" and "complacent".

My child did not have a chance - this is some kind of justice

Karla's mother, Tracy Marsh

Vivian Robinson QC, for the GMC, told the hearing: "The way in which Dr Vanner appeared to carry out his professional responsibilities was shambolic."

Mr Robinson referred to comments made by Dr Vanner in which he said: "I actually have a healthy scepticism to the role of monitors."

He said the comments showed Dr Vanner's "arrogance" towards basic standards of practice.

Karla's mother, Tracy Marsh, from Leyland, said after the hearing: "I am relieved. I cannot express the words at the moment."

"My child did not have a chance... This is some kind of justice."

"Having a child taken away from you, you cannot explain it, it's like having my life taken away."

Shock 'overdose'

Asked about the possibility of a legal action against the anaesthetist she said the ruling had been "very good news" in terms of any potential legal action.

The committee found the doctor failed to ensure equipment was up to standard, and that a dedicated assistant was present.

Dr Vanner also failed to monitor the patient properly, and to administer suction in the patient's mouth when she had breathing difficulties.

He was found to have administered "an inappropriately high level of shock", which was described in evidence as "an enormous overdose".

Dr Vanner was cleared, with dentist Michael Lane, of manslaughter in February last year when it emerged Karla might have died from a heart abnormality.

'Dangerous' failings

In it's ruling the committee said: "Dr Vanner failed to keep his knowledge and skills up to date.

"He displayed a lack of insight into the serious deficiencies in his knowledge and skills which they found dangerous and woeful.

"In his police interviews, Dr Vanner appeared dismissive of new developments and displayed an arrogance which manifested itself in the sad events of this case."

Dr Vanner did not to attend the hearing, claiming that he did not with to distress Karla's family.

He has 28 days to appeal against the decision to strike him off.