An eight-year-old boy has been found hanged in his bedroom in Lancashire.
Joshua Aldred was found unconscious by his grandmother in Lytham on Thursday night. He was taken to hospital in Blackpool but died a short time later.
Joshua's mother and grandfather had recently died from cancer and his family believe it was a cry for help.
His father Jason Aldred said: "He missed his mother and spoke of her often. Our very close relationship was of immense support to both of us."
He said he believed his son only intended to hurt himself, not take his own life.
"A tragic accident at home occurred when Joshua's sadness at the loss he had experienced at such a young age has resulted in this tragedy," he said.
"The family are sure he expected to only injure himself slightly and are devastated that this cry for attention resulted in the loss of such a beautiful boy."
"He was a delightful eight-year-old who will be very sadly missed by everyone"
A post-mortem examination carried out on Friday showed his death was consistent with hanging.
Family liaison officers from Lancashire Police are now working closely with his relatives.
Mr Aldred added: "Joshua Isaac Aldred was my beautiful son who was so tragically taken from me.
"In his very short life, Joshua had faced the double tragedy of the loss of his mother, Sarah, from breast cancer on 17 March 2008 and his granddad, John, from prostate cancer, on 9 July 2007.
"Outwardly this loving and happy child, who had a great network of family and friends to support him, coped admirably."
Pupil support
Joshua was a pupil at the independent King Edward VII and Queen Mary School in Lytham St Annes.
A statement posted on the school website said: "We are shocked and saddened by news of the death of Joshua Aldred. He was a delightful eight-year-old who will be very sadly missed by everyone.
"We are talking to the children and their parents in the preparatory school and are providing support to them.
"Our deepest sympathy goes to Joshua's father and the rest of his family and we of course respect their rights to privacy at this sad time."
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