LITTLE Sam Bell was a happy smiling three-year-old as he enjoyed a day out shopping with his mum.

Just hours later, he was rushed to hospital with a mystery stomach condition that claimed his life after doctors battled in vain to save him.

His distraught parents, Jacqui and Graeme Bell, from Benmore Road, Hartlepool, said: "He was an amazing loving little boy who was always giving kisses and cuddles.

"Life will never be the same without his smiling face. We all loved him so much and he will be in our thoughts forever."

Sam had told his mother on Thursday dinner time last week that his "tummy hurt because he was hungry".

She gave him some food and he seemed fine, playing with friends.

But the following day his condition worsened and he was taken to hospital.

Later on Friday night Sam died.

Jacqui and Graeme have two other children; Luke, aged four, and Summer, aged two.

Graeme, 28, said: "I can't believe what's happened; it was all so quick.'' Both Graeme and Jacqui had thought that Sam was suffering from a tummy bug, like he had done previously.

Jackie, 26, said; "He threw up at about 4pm on Thursday and laughed because he missed the bowl.

"Then he got back on the couch.

"He was sitting up on the night and he was not pale; I thought that it was a tummy bug.

"He had had one before."

"During the night he woke up once to get a glass of water but he was not crying."

On the Friday morning, Sam came downstairs to watch TV before taking himself off to bed, said Graeme.

"By 1pm on Friday he was still walking around and getting up.

"He was saying that he was thirsty and was drinking water but straight away it came back up," said Jacqui.

Jacqui took Sam to the doctors' around 3pm on Friday, after his condition worsened - but he deteriorated and was rushed to hospital a couple of hours later.

As doctors battled to save the youngster, he tragically died with his distraught mum by his side.

His death certificate reads that Sam died of an intussusception of the terminal ilium, which coroners have told the couple is a twisting of the small intestine.

His parents described Sam as a ''very loving and mischievous, laid back little character.'' Sam, who was a Transformers fan, was due to have a themed birthday party with his brother for their birthdays, with Sam's on September 17 and Luke's on September 29.

Jacqui said: "Sam was really looking forward to it and we had already bought presents.

"We are going to give them to Luke and say that Sam said he could have them."