The parents of a baby boy have been left heartbroken following his tragic death just three days after his first birthday.

Archie Squire - described as a “happy little lad” who was always smiling - died in hospital in Margate after falling unwell.

His mum, Lauren Parrish, and dad, Jake Squire, from Dover, had taken him to the QEQM Hospital two days before, believing he was suffering with constipation.

Archie’s death has devastated the couple, who have paid a touching tribute to their son, who had become an older brother just five weeks before.

“Archie was a happy little lad who was always smiling,” they said.

“He’d wave at strangers and went shy when people gave him attention.

“Archie would bum shuffle and pull the funniest of faces, which would brighten up any room.

“He always loved to dance, especially to the Fireman Sam theme tune, Sherry by the Four Seasons or My G by Aitch and Ed Sheeran.

“He was adored by everyone lucky enough to have known him.

“Archie will be sadly missed forever and leave a void in our broken hearts that we can never refill.”

Ms Parrish, 21, and Mr Squire, 24, are awaiting answers on the circumstances of Archie’s unexplained death on November 23 - two days after he was admitted to hospital.

Reflecting on cherished memories of visits to the zoo, the swimming pool and trips away, Ms Parrish, a customer advisor, and her partner admit Archie always had a soft spot for his dad.

Mr Squire, a refrigeration engineer, said: “Archie was a real daddy’s boy, always calling out “dad, dad, dad” no matter whose attention he wanted.

“His nanny and pops couldn’t have been prouder grandparents – Archie helped them both in more ways than he would ever know.

“He always felt safe and content with the people he loved around him and would settle with his muzzy at night without any fuss at all.”

Archie is survived by baby brother Albie, as well as grandparents and great-grandparents.

He had been the fifth generation of the family, with great, great-grandmother Doris doting on him.

Ms Parrish’s cousin, Nikki Escudier, who has started a GoFundMe to help the couple financially in the wake of Archie’s death, also paid tribute to the baby boy.

The Ramsgate firefighter, who was to be Archie’s godmother, said: “Archie’s contagious laughter and smiles, and contented nature still resonate deeply with everyone fortunate enough to know him.

“His absence is overwhelming and has come with the most unexpected blow felt by family, friends, and the countless lives he touched for such a tiny age.

“The challenges of adjusting to life without him will continue forever and a void will remain impossible to fill.

“Archie’s little brother Albie will never get to play with his big brother; a family left devastated with a new future to rebuild, with many unanswered questions, with even more difficult days ahead as we come to terms with his death.

“I’ve created this GoFundMe to support time off work for Archie’s daddy Jake – there is no financial support nor time to grieve for bereaved fathers after losing a child. This will also go towards supporting Archie’s mummy Lauren during her ongoing maternity leave, allowing a fraction more time to adjust to a very different world.

“Nothing can replace Archie – this will allow Jake and Lauren to focus on healing and cherishing Archie’s memory without the added stress of financial hardship because of loss of earnings.”

In a double blow for Ms Parrish, her cousin, popular Margate footballer Michael Britt, died seven days after Archie, at the age of 20.

Described as a “born leader and a genuine good guy”, he died two days before his 21st birthday.