The parents of nine-year-old Jade Johnstone have paid tribute to their daughter one year after her death. 

John and Jan Johntone, who live in Duston, Northampton, said they would never be able to move on after spending their first Christmas without their only child. 

Jade died a year ago today, during a swimming lesson at The Duston School.  She collapsed with sudden death syndrome.   

Mrs Johnstone - who has now been tested for the condition, which kills 12 young people a week - said: "It has gone very quickly.  I don't know what we've done for a year without her. 

"Life was just so busy with Jade and it's very quiet now.  We will never be able to move on; we just learn to live with it. 

"We've got loads of photos, but we can't sit and look at them because it hurts." 

The family is planning to attend St James Church to remember Jade.  Lyncrest Primary School, where Jade was a pupil, will offer its own tribute. 

Last year, staff and pupils at Lyncrest unveiled a specially-built outdoor stage in memory of Jade, who loved to perform. 

Mrs Johnstone said: "I know they are trying to find a rose called Jade.  They are not going to forget her. 

"Her friends come down and give her flowers and they bring me flowers on Mother's Day." 

Since Jade's death, Mr & Mrs Johnstone have been fundraising for the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), which promotes heart screening to diagnose sudden death syndrome. 

So far, the appeal in memory of Jade has raised more than £2,000. 

Although a post-mortem examination confirmed the condition that caused Jade's death, her parents are still waiting for an inquest, which had been expected in October. 

Mr Johnstone said: "We just want the death certificate, so we can register Jade's death. 

"There was nothing anybody could have done; she could have been running across the park.  It was going to happen anyway, because of the syndrome. 

"All of our friends and the school have been excellent.  We've also had a lot of support from CRY." 

An annual fundraising event for CRY in Jade's name will take place again this year.