A BOY of eight has died from a suspected epileptic fit while playing football at his local leisure centre.

Adam Payne collapsed suddenly while attending a football coaching session at the Swallows Leisure Centre, Sittingbourne.

Paramedics were quickly on the scene but failed to revive him following cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, according to a press release by the Swallows.

He was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital but was pronounced dead at about 7pm on Sunday, just an hour after collapsing.

Tributes have been paid to Adam, who lived at Westerham Road, Sittingbourne. John Day, acting head teacher at Minterne Junior School where the youngster was a pupil, said: "We were all extremely shocked and saddened to hear of Adam's death and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.

"Adam was a very likeable boy and had a wide circle of friends at school. He enjoyed his sport and had a good sense of humour."