The parents of 13-year-old Carson Price have said a final goodbye to their “perfect handsome boy” in a letter they wrote to him after his tragic death.

Carson's parents and nine-year-old brother Coby said their "only wish" was to be able to tell the teenager again how much they loved him.

Carson, from Hengoed, died in hospital after taking an MDMA tablet in Ystrad Mynach Park on April 12 at the start of the Easter holidays.

The heartbreaking letter was read out during Carson's funeral at Gelligaer Church in Ystrad Mynach on Tuesday afternoon.

(Image: Wales News Service)

Close friends, family, fellow pupils and members of Penallta Rugby Club wore Carson’s favourite colour blue to the church.

Before the service, his family arrived in cars behind the hearse and nine-year-old Coby rode in the passenger seat of a red Ferrari.

Carson's parents, Tatum and Brian, stood arm in arm with their younger son at the gates as they waited for pallbearers to lead the procession into the church.

(Image: Rob Browne)

Rev Gary Powell read out the letter to Carson from his family. It said: “Never in our wildest dreams did we think we would live a day without you.

“You were our first born, our baby, our love, our world, the most perfect handsome boy and everyone agreed those big brown eyes, chubby chops and perfect little brown curls on your head.

“You grew into a perfect little teenager, mischievous at times, but that cheeky little face, we could never stay mad.

“You always told us you loved us, and that meant the world to us. You were so precious. We only wish we had the chance to tell you again how much we love you, and will always love you.

“Life will never be the same now you are with the angels but the precious memories we have as a family no one can take. I’m glad we had all the cuddles and took all the photos we took. We will treasure them forever.

"We feel robbed that we will never watch you grow old and continue your passion with music, and reach all the milestones in life.”

Carson, described as a talented and keen musician, was carried into the church in a casket designed to look like a boombox music player.

(Image: Wales News Service)

The service began with the hymn Morning Has Broken and a reading from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians.

It was then followed by a wake at Penallta Rugby Club near Ystrad Mynach Park where Carson’s parents promised to “light up the sky” for their son.

The couple have spoken of their struggle to come to terms with the circumstances of their son’s death over the last few weeks.

But they said they want to continue to do as much as they can to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs to young people.

In a written statement issued after the funeral service, Carson’s family said: “Today is the hardest day of our lives. On Friday 12th April, our lives changed forever when our little boy was taken away from us. Since then, we have been living an unimaginable nightmare.

“Carson was loved by so many and the amount of people that have come along today is a testament to this.

“From the bottom of our hearts, we’d like to thank all those that have supported us through this awful time.

"Today, we say goodbye to our beautiful boy, Carson, following his short life with us.

“This should never have happened. We want to keep reminding people to talk about the devastating consequences that drugs can have and how they destroy lives to help prevent another family going through the same heartbreak that we have faced.

“Our lives will never be the same. You will remain in our hearts and will never be forgotten.”

(Image: PA)

Caerphilly Superintendent Nick McLain, who was at the funeral, said: “Today, the family, friends and the local community are coming together for the funeral of Carson Price.

“The effects of the events that led to Carson’s tragic death have been felt by all those who knew Carson and has had a devastating impact on everyone involved, and most particularly his mother, his father, his brother and the rest of his family.

“Today, and the days that follow, will be difficult for them and I know everyone in the community will carry on giving them the support they need as well as supporting each other.

“I’m grateful to the community for all the information they have provided and all of this will be acted upon appropriately.

“As I’ve said, taking drugs can have devastating consequences and our advice continues to be ‘don’t take drugs’.”

(Image: Richard Swingler)

Gwent Police have been investigating the involvement of MDMA in Carson's death, and have issued a number of warnings about a particular tablet of the street drug branded with imagery related to the Donkey Kong video game franchise.

A 14-year-old boy from Pontllanfraith was arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs. He was bailed for 28 days while Gwent Police continue with their investigations and liaise with the Crown Prosecution Service.