Prime Minister Gordon Brown has sent the Camerons his condolences following the death of their son Ivan.

It was amongst the first messages of sympathy being sent to the Conservative leader.

Mr Brown said: "Sarah and I were very saddened to hear of the death of Ivan and we have sent our condolences to David and Samantha.

"The death of a child is a loss no parent should have to bear.

"I know Ivan was a child who brought joy to all those who knew him and his was a life surrounded by love.

"The thoughts and prayers of the whole country are with David, Samantha and their family."

Mr Cameron’s agent and leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, Cllr Barry Norton, said: “The sadness of Ivan’s passing comes as a great shock to all Conservatives in West Oxfordshire.

"Our thoughts go out to David and Samantha and Ivan’s brother and sister at this time of great sadness.

“He was really quite ill and we didn’t know anything so imminent.

“He was a beautiful boy and had lovely clear eyes and good hair. He was smashing looking kid. He was such a smashing boy.

“David and Samantha will be absolutely devastated.

"They were devoted to that child.”