A class of ten-year-olds have paid tribute to their schoolfriend who collapsed and died suddenly while watching England play in the World Cup.

Jason Meyrick, of Corfe Close, Borehamwood, was cheering on the national team in his bedroom on June 10.

His father heard him call out, went up to see him and the next moment he collapsed. Paramedics took him to Barnet hospital, but were unable to revive him.

His devastated family and schoolfriends from Kenilworth Primary School in Borehamwood held a Doctor Who party in his memory last Thursday, which would have been his tenth birthday.

It was the idea of his best friend Stevie Agnew who knew Jason was a massive fan of the television series.

Jason's parents, Sarah Sansom, 36, and Roger Meyrick, 47, are waiting for an inquest to find out the cause of death.

Miss Sansom said he was an ideal son. "He was happy, smiley, energetic," she said.

"He had no worries. He was friendly, enthusiastic. He was just great - the ideal boy. He didn't care how he looked, he always wore odd socks and had a dirty face."

Jason was a keen football fan. He loved wearing his Ipswich Town kit, but also supported Manchester United and idolised Wayne Rooney.

He had two sisters, Jane, 13, and Hannah, four. Jane said: "He never lost his temper, and never gave up."

His mother described the nightmare' of the day he died.

"We had been out, and he nagged us all day to come home to watch the football," she said.

When they got home, he went upstairs to watch the game in his room, but then, said Ms Sansom, he came down to get his inhaler because he suffered from asthma.

He later called out and his father went up to check on him. Moments later he collapsed.

"It's turned our world upside down," said Miss Sansom. "It was a nightmare and it's been a nightmare ever since."

Rosie Landa, headteacher at Kenilworth School, said: "He was a smashing boy. He was full of goodness and always tried really, really hard. The children have done their own tribute to him they've taken it hard."

Jason's funeral takes place next Friday, July 14, at Garston Crematorium at 2pm. Mourners are asked not to wear black but football kits are welcome.