A heartbroken couple have told of their “indescribable grief” following the sudden death of their “happy and handsome” two-year-old boy.

Paul and Sophie Ludlow say their home in Swanley feels empty without their beloved son Alec, who they say had “so much love to give”.

The toddler died unexpectedly at the family house last Thursday, with his parents still awaiting answers as to the cause of his death.

Dad Paul, 31, said: “He was just a genuinely loving, caring kid.

“He loved Teletubbies and dinosaurs.

“Anything with an engine he liked. If he could hear it, he was just fascinated by it.”

The youngest of seven, Alec was a favourite among staff at his nursery school and “touched everyone he met”.

Mum Sophie said: “He was attached to my hip all the time.

“He'd literally sit on my foot while I was trying to wash up or give him some food.

“He loved music. He could be half asleep and his body would just dance and wiggle.

“He'd make you give him a kiss. He'd hold your face and squidge your cheeks.

“The staff at the nursery all wanted to take him home. He loved everyone. It didn’t matter who it was.”

Paul added: “It's almost like he was just meant to make everyone happy and then leave again.

“It’s like he was a fully grown adult in a kid's body, the way he cared for people.

“He just wanted to bring light to everyone's life.”

Alec was discovered lifeless after failing to come downstairs for dinner when called by his mum.

Paramedics were called but could do nothing to save the youngster, who had no underlying health conditions.

A post-mortem examination is set to take place to help establish how he died.

“Whatever they find, they said that he went so quick he didn't even know it was coming,” Paul said.

“So he didn't have any seizures, he didn't suffocate, he didn't choke on anything. It's just a sudden death.

“They said at the minute they're looking at it as possibly just SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).”

Sophie, who is also currently fighting cancer, says the family is trying to learn how to cope without Alec in their lives.

“It's quiet at home,” said the 31-year-old.

“My heart's stopped. I feel like I’m just here.”

Paul added: “We all feel like we're just existing, and we haven't got a purpose now he's gone.

“Even though we have six other kids that need us all the time, you sort of feel like your purpose has been ripped away.

“With Sophie’s cancer and the kids and everything else, it has been really hard.

“But she's conquered it all. She's amazing.

“It sounds really silly, because he was the youngest, but he was the man and rock of the house.

“I mean, you always think it's going to be the dad, but it wasn't - it was him.

“He held us all together all the time.”

Alec’s family say they are planning to give him “the most amazing send-off”, and his great aunt Jenny Milne has started a JustGiving appeal to help fund the service, with more than £2,500 already donated.

She says there will be Teletubbies, dinosaurs, scooters, bikes, smoke cannons and balloons - “all of the things Alec would have wanted”.

Mrs Milne, who lives in St Mary’s Bay, New Romney, said: “His heart was too big for this world. He had so much to give.

“He was the most handsome, cheekiest, happiest little boy with bright blue eyes that sparkled like diamonds.

“He was a very special boy. It's easy for families to say that about their own, but he really touched everyone.

“He was a partner in crime with his sister Frances - the second youngest - and boy were they mischief together!

“Their antics and laughter filled the house and it was contagious.”

Alec’s parents say they are incredibly grateful for the support of their family and friends.

They would also like to thank the emergency services, medical staff and neighbours who came to help on the day of Alec’s death.