The parents of a seven-year-old boy found hanged have donated their son's heart valves for transplant.

The gift of life was agreed soon after Billy Kirby died at the weekend following the accident at the family home in Kenilworth Close, Bevendean, Brighton.

John and Tanya Kirby's decision has coincided with National Transplant Week and has won praise from the British Organ Donor Society.

John Evans, the society's founder and chairman, said: "The recipient and family will be eternally grateful for this gift of life.

"I can assure everyone that this means literally the world to recipients and their families.

"It literally will give them life or, at the very least, a quality of life they were unable to enjoy."

Billy died after hanging himself from a bedpost while playing with a tie on Saturday.

Ambulance personnel who tried in vain to revive him later broke down in tears.

Billy's parents said: "Billy was our baby. The loss of our son has caused a great void in our hearts and the hearts of his brothers and sister.

"Billy was a lovely, gentle child who brought happiness and fun to all the people he met."

Police, who declared the incident a tragic accident, were among those to express their condolences to the family.

Mr Evans said Billy's family would gain some comfort from the donation.

He said: "Knowing their son has saved or improved someone's life I hope will provide some consolation.

"They have made a decision that will mean something wonderful has come from such a desperate tragedy.

"Heart valves are quite often transplanted and they could well be used on a child of Billy's age or even an adult.

"There is a desperate shortage of donors of organs and tissues and there is a large waiting list of recipients.

"I would encourage people to discuss this with their families to let everyone know their wishes and sign on the National Organ Donor Register. You can now do so online at www.uktransplant.org.uk"