THE parents of a toddler who died on Sunday have paid tribute to a little boy who touched the lives of everyone he met.

Adam Foulkes, of Davenham Close, Malvern, was 16 months old when he died of what is suspected to be pneumococcal meningitis.

His parents, Donna, 33, and Steve, 35, described Adam as 'a cheeky sunshine' and their 'blue-eyed boy'.

"Everyone remembers his bright blue eyes and big grin. He was a total socialite and charmed everyone. He played up to all the girls," said Donna. "He's just going to be so missed by hundreds of people. He touched so many lives."

Adam had received treatment for a rash on his face on May 20 and was back at Baxhill Nursery the next day, after it cleared up. But on Sunday, after a shopping trip to Worcester, Adam was put to bed for an afternoon nap and later found face down on his bed and not breathing.

Donna attempted resuscitation and called an ambulance, which took Adam to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, but he was pronounced dead at 5.20pm.

Donna suffered four miscarriages and the couple had undergone fertility treatment before Adam, their first and only child, was born, on January 23, 2003.

"We were just delighted. We couldn't have wished for a better child. We were blessed," said Steve.

The toddler enjoyed playing in the garden on his fire truck and was, said the couple, a 'little waterbaby', who loved swimming in his paddling pool and being bathed.

The family had been on holiday to Canada and Hawaii over the past few months and Steve said that Adam had won round everyone he met.

"We went up Diamond Head Canyon in Hawaii and I had Adam in a backpack through all the tunnels and up the steps and everybody on that canyon knew his name by the time we came down."

They had been due to fly to Australia on June 5 to visit Donna's father, who had never met Adam.

Cremation will take place on June 4 at Worcester Crematorium, followed by a service of thanksgiving at St Andrew's Church in Poolbrook Road, where the couple got married and Adam was christened. Donna said everyone was welcome to attend the service, but requested that no-one wore black.

"We want it to be a celebration of his life," she said.

Donations can be made through Holland Funeral Service and will go to the Meningitis Trust and Worc-estershire NHS Hospitals Trust, for revamping the relatives room at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Pneumococcal meningitis is a non-contagious form of the illness, caused by bacteria infecting the lining of the brain. It is particularly common in children under five.

Symptoms include a dislike of bright lights, headache, stiff neck, high fever and loud cries. Parents are advised to seek medical help if children display any of these.