Tributes have been paid to a larger than life four-year-old known as "Smiley Riley" who tragically died after a short battle with leukaemia.

Riley Bourne started showing signs of chickenpox on Sunday, February 12. He was showing the usual symptoms, with spots covering his body and him feeling lethargic.

But on Thursday, when Riley started coughing up blood, his parents called in paramedics.

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The youngster, who lived in Park Wood, Maidstone, with his 24-year-old mum Joanne and three-month-old baby brother Roman, was taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury.

It was there that doctors found suspicious cells in his blood, and transferred him to St George's Hospital in London for further tests.

Doctors found on Friday that along with chicken pox, Riley had acute myeloid leukaemia, an aggressive form of cancer which attacks white blood cells that fight infection.

Although Riley had chemotherapy on Saturday at St George's Hospital in London, his body sadly couldn't cope, and his parents had to make the decision to let him go on Monday.

Today, they have paid tribute to their little boy who loved everything Disney, and made everyone who met him smile.

His mother, Joanne Bourne, said: "He was always happy, everyone he met he touched their hearts.

"He was particularly fond of Toy Story, and we'd decorated his bedroom with all sorts of Toy Story stuff. Whenever people came to the house he'd ask if they wanted to see his room.

"He would also always dance around. He never had lessons, but if you put on music he would dance around to it."

Although he loved Toy Story and singing and dancing, Riley's favourite thing to do was play with his baby brother, Roman.

His mum said: "Riley was absolutely besotted with him, when I was pregnant I found him organising his toys one day and I asked what he was doing and he replied 'I'm just getting some of the best toys out so my baby brother can have them when he is older'.

"We kept having to tell him to leave Roman alone because he just loved giving him kisses and cuddles."

The four-year-old had started at Molehill Primary Academy in September, and was settling in well and making friends.

In a statement, Gemma Brierly, headmistress at Molehill, said: "Our deepest sympathies are with Riley's family during this difficult time, and we will be working alongside the relevant agencies to give them any support they need.

"The school has commenced a collection to help the family with funeral costs, and will continue to work with them to honour Riley's memory in any way they wish."

With his parents still grieving, friends Emily Russ and Charlotte Howden have rallied together to set up a JustGiving page to help with funeral costs, and also a trip to Disneyland for the family.

Miss Bourne explained: "Going to Disney was a dream of Riley's, but we couldn't afford it, so we thought we'd go some other time. We never thought we might not get the chance.

"We'd like to get the whole family out to pay tribute to him, and we'd take lanterns with us and get them signed by all his favourite characters before letting them off in his memory."

Miss Russ said: "We're just trying to show support because no-one prepares themselves for this kind of thing. They had no chance to prepare themselves for what happened."

Miss Russ knows Miss Bourne from their school days, where she was in the year above at Senacre Technology College.

Years later they were in the same baby group, which Miss Bourne attended with Riley.

Charlotte Howden was another member of the baby group, who is currently taking care of the couple's other child, three-month-old Roman.

She said: "Having to watch my best friend and her partner being told their four-year-old son wasn't going to make the night has been the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

"Riley was a beautiful, selfless, considerate boy, and was loved by everyone that met him. He will be sorely missed.

"It’s really important that they can all spend time together without excess stress so they can all have the time off they need to bond and be together as a family, that’s the most important thing."

Miss Bourne said: "We can't thank everyone enough for their support. We'd like to especially thank the staff at the paediatric intensive care unit at St George's Hospital, and also the Ronald McDonald housing which meant we could stay up in London.

"Without both of them it would have been a completely different experience. The staff at the hospital did everything they could to help Riley, and without the housing we could have missed the chance to say goodbye."

The page has so far raised more than £3,500. To donate, click here.