A SOUTHEND MP has paid tribute to Archie Battersbee and his family after the 12-year-old died earlier today.

Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, has sent her "thoughts and prayers" to Archie’s mum Hollie Dance and the family.

Archie Battersbee, a 12-year-old from Southend, died at 12:15pm today after his life support was withdrawn this morning.

His parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, had fought a long-running legal battle over the withdrawal of treatment.

Archie had been in a coma since he was found unconscious by his mother in April.

Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, said in a tweet: “Very sad news that Archie has died.

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“All my thoughts and prayers are with Hollie and the family.

“Thank you to all the nurses and doctors in the NHS who looked after him until the end.”

In a statement, Anna also added Hollie had “exemplified the power of motherhood” in her fight for Archie.

She said: “Today is the end of a very difficult four months for Archie’s family - a series of court battles, hospital meetings, and press interviews which constitute every parent’s worst nightmare.

“All the way through, the driving force behind Hollie and her family’s actions has been the love for Archie.

“This love was shared across the entire community of Southend when the beach lights turned purple, and then eventually spread across the globe as more people fell behind the #PurpleWave movement to support Archie.”

“Hollie is a courageous and brave parent.

“She exemplified the power of motherhood and that innate drive to protect our loved ones and fight for them until the very end.  

“I know that today will be gut-wrenching for both Hollie and all those that loved Archie, which is now in the millions.

“He was a strong, ambitious, and happy-go-lucky boy with a sporting career ahead of him and I am sure that legacy will carry on.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this desperately sad time, and I urge people to sympathise with what they are going through.

“It is a situation no parent, family, or community should have to suffer.

“Go well Archie and thank you for blessing Southend with your presence.”