The devastated family of a youngster who died when a garden wall collapsed said the tragedy had left a huge hole in their lives.

William Eastwood died last June when a wall fell down as he climbed over to get his football.

Speaking after an inquest into his death yesterday, heartbroken mum Kelly, 27, said: "We love William. We miss him so much and always will."

The inquest heard the six-year-old had been playing football with younger brother Solomon at their grandmother's house in Western Road, Colchester, on June 11.

Her partner, Nicholas Goff, had been watching the boys in the back garden.

He told them to go inside after William kicked the ball over the wall but the youngster started to climb after it.

"I shouted at him to get down and moved towards him," said Mr Goff, in a statement.

"William disappeared from my view for a second and the wall began to collapse," he said.

"The wall just tumbled on top of him."

Mr Goff said it happened in just seconds.

Paramedics were unable to save William, of Military Court, Colchester. He suffered a fractured skull and brain injuries.

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded a verdict of accidental death.