THE family of a four-year-old boy who choked to death on a grape today said they were 'too distraught for words'.

Oliver Shaw, of Wellbrow Drive, Longridge, died at the Royal Preston Hospital after paramedics battled for more than 30 minutes to revive him.

His parents, Martin and Vicky Shaw, had tried to help him before paramedics arrived at their house.

Mourners, including parents of Oliver's friends at the nursery he attended, paid tribute to the youngster at his funeral Oliver's funeral at St Lawrence's Church in Longridge on Monday.

Oliver had a sister, Kelly, and a brother, Jonathan.

His father Martin said today: "We really are too distraught for words. We can't believe this has happened."

Oliver's grandparents, Brian and Barbara Howard, are well known in Longridge as they used to to run a fruit and vegetable shop in Derby Road.

Donations in lieu of flowers at the funeral were sent to the Babybeat charity, set up by hospitals in Lancashire to help families with children suffering terminal illness.

PC Adrian Royles, from Preston Coroners' office, said paramedics received a call at 10.30am on Sunday, May 30.

He said: "He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital having swallowed a grape at his home.

"Subsequently, he had begun to choke on the grape. The ambulance crew began efforts to revive Oliver at the scene and these efforts continued on the way to hospital and once they were at the hospital.

"Sadly, at 10.58am, Oliver died."

An inquest into Oliver's death was opened and adjourned on June 2. Preston's Coroner, Howard McCann, is dealing with the hearing.

PC Royles added: "There are no suspicious circumstances. The parents have now asked to be left alone to grieve."