A boy aged 8 used his school tie to hang himself after his mother and his grandfather both died within the past 12 months.
Joshua Aldred was found unconscious by his grandmother in his bedroom at home in Lytham St Annes yesterday. He was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital but attempts to resuscitate him failed.
Joshua was dealing with the double tragedy of losing his mother, Sarah, to breast cancer three months ago and his grandfather, John, to prostate cancer in July last year.
His father, Jason Aldred, paid tribute to his “beautiful” son and said that he felt it had been a cry for attention rather than a suicide attempt.
Mr Aldred said: “Outwardly this loving and happy child, who had a great network