The father of a toddler who died has spoken of his heartbreak and how it led him almost to take his own life.

Joshua Duck was 22 months old when he died in Dewsbury District Hospital on April 7 this year.

He had been rushed there from his home in Hirst Avenue, Heckmond-wike, by ambulance as paramedics desperately tried to revive him.

His father Phil Duck, 34, of Bramley, Leeds, said he would never forget the day he learned that his only son was dead.

"I received a phone call telling me he had died and I thought it was a wind-up," he said.

"I just couldn't believe it at all. I was just gutted.

"You always expect parents to go first, rather than your own child."

Phil, a team manager for Safeways supermarket, added: "He was a happy boy, quite cheeky like me.

"I remember when he was born at Leeds General Infirmary. He was beautiful and I cut his cord.

"He loved our English bull terrier, Wally.

"The dog was very protective of Joshua and if strangers came in the house, he wouldn't let them near him.

"Joshua had a beautiful little personality and I always said he was more like a five-year-old than a two-year-old because he had learned so much."

Joshua lived with his mother, Aisling, and Phil has happy memories of the time he spent with him each week.

"I only saw him once a week then, which was very hard," he said.

"But when I had him I used to take him to his grandmother's house in Kirkstall, which he loved."

The day after Joshua's funeral, two weeks ago, Phil could no longer cope and took an overdose which left him in hospital for two days.

"It was like me knocking on the door to go and the door didn't open, so that's why I am still here," he said.

"I haven't started grieving properly yet and I haven't cried for him.

"I just take one day at a time now."

l Twenty six-year-old Frank Hellewell, of Hirst Avenue, Heckmondwike, has been charged with Joshua's murder and will appear at Leeds Crown Court in September.

He also faces charges of cruelty and causing grievous bodily harm in connection with the death.