The family of a five-year-old boy who died after choking on a piece of food while at an after-school club said they are "absolutely devastated".

Louis Emaho was at the club at the Bettridge Centre in Newtonhill, Aberdeenshire, when he fell ill at around 4pm on Tuesday.

He died a short time after arriving at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital.

His parents, Ghoot Emaho and Pauline Adams, said: "We are absolutely devastated by the loss of our wonderful little boy.

"Louis was a bright, happy and bubbly child who always had a smile on his face.

"While we had Louis in our lives for too short a time, we feel truly blessed to have known him and the love he brought to our lives will be remembered forever.

"We are finding it very difficult to come to terms with the fact Louis is gone. As we struggle to come to terms with his loss, we would respectfully ask that we, and the rest of our family and friends, are left to grieve in peace."

The small community of Newtonhill has been shocked by the death of the boy, a pupil at the local primary school.

Local councillor Ian Mollison said: "It is such a shocking thing to happen in such a close-knit community. It's very hard to take in."

Linda Cruickshank, head teacher of Newtonhill Primary, said: "Louis was a happy, popular member of his primary one class who enjoyed all aspects of school life.

"He loved to be involved in all his class activities and took great joy and pride in all his achievements. We will miss him very much.

"Everyone here at Newtonhill School is obviously shocked and devastated by such a tragedy. Our thoughts are very much with his mum and dad at this very sad time."

A Grampian Police spokesman said a full investigation into the boy's death would be carried out and a report sent to the procurator fiscal.