A young boy who died after being swept out to sea would have celebrated his 10th birthday today.

Connor McDonald's heartbroken parents have expressed their gratitude to everyone who has supported them over the past five months.

Paul and Kate McDonald, who are also parents to Joe and Declan, said: "Connor's birthday is Easter Sunday and he would have been 10.

"We are still heartbroken, in shock and five months on cry every day.

"Our lives will never be the same and anyone who has lost a child will understand this.

"We would like to thank everyone for the cards, flowers, sympathies and the minute's applause to remember our beauti­ful, talented boy."

They added: "In particular we would like to thank Ashford United Youth FC, Homelands, Chelsea FC, Earls, Furley Park, The John Wallis School, Kent FA, Kent Reliance and RIFT for the support given in organising Connor’s funeral."

Promising footballer Connor, a pupil at Furley Park Academy in Park Farm, Ashford, and player for Ashford United under-10s, died on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, in hospital after falling into the water near his home in Dymchurch.

At an inquest in January it was ruled that the nine-year-old's death was an accident and that he had died from immersion.

In the days and weeks after his death, football, rugby and hockey teams in Ashford and across Kent held either a minute's silence or applause in his honour.

John Terry, captain of Chelsea Football Club – the team Connor supported – also offered his condolences, sending a letter to Paul and Kate, while Connor’s favourite player, midfielder Eden Hazard, sent a signed picture.

More than 300 people, including family, school friends, teachers and team-mates, gathered for Connor's funeral in November at Ulcombe Church, near Maidstone, where Connor's grand­father is laid to rest.

The McDonalds, who have now moved to Ashford from Dymchurch, visit Connor’s grave every week.