A KENT family is mourning the death of a fun-loving nine-year-old boy.

Reece Dalton, of Manor Road, Rushenden, near Sheerness, died at Guy's Hospital in London on Sunday afternoon. The cause of death is so far unknown. A post mortem examination is due to be carried out.

His parents, Malcolm, 39, and Lesley, have been overwhelmed by the kindness of their friends since the tragedy and have received dozens of sympathy cards.

Reece also leaves siblings Aston, 16, Zoey 14, Sophie, 13, Nathan, 11, Patricia, seven, Malcolm, six, and half-brother Aaron.

Reece's father said: "We will only ever speak about Reece in the present tense. If someone asked me how many children I have, I would say seven. He will always be my son. He had so much respect on the estate."

Reece, who was known as The Dude and Champ by his friends, was a keen sportsman and especially enjoyed participating in football and boxing. He was also a talented dancer.

Lesley said: "He was so good he could have been a backing dancer. He always had a smile on his face."

Brother Aston said Reece also enjoyed walking the family dog Tyson and playing his Game Boy, which he got for Christmas.

Alan Jenner, head teacher at Queenborough First School, said: "Reece only left us in July to go up to Cheyne. He was a smashing, cheeky little character, who was mostly full of beans.

"He was very popular with his peers and also the grown ups at the school. It's a terrible tragedy. Everybody at the school really does feel for his parents and brothers and sisters."

A date has not yet been set for the funeral.