MORE than 1,300 people joined a group on social networking site Facebook in memory of Newport youngster Leo Jones.

The Alway Primary School pupil died at last Thursday of a cardiac arrest after battling kidney failure from birth.

Friends, family and even those who didn't know him, paid tribute to him on a Facebook group called R.I.P lil' Leo.

Jean Vickery, wrote: “Only to be put on earth for a short time to show off his beautiful smile and brighten up the lives of those who knew him. Now the angels have taken him back home R.I.P Leo, sleep tight, God bless.”

Leo, of Ringland, was given just a ten percent chance of survival when he was born with a tumour on his spine, but he defied the odds and was the face of Kidney Wales Walk for Life 2009 to help raise money for other patients.

Always smiling, he touched the hearts of Argus readers who donated more than £3,000 to pay for a special Christmas trip to Butlins where he met his hero Bob the Builder. His funeral will take place on April 27 at Christchurch Church, Christchurch Road, Newport, at 10am.

Family flowers only but donations to be split between Kidney Wales and the kidney ward at Cardiff’s University Hospital, can be made to TJ Davies Funeral Directors, Chepstow Road.