THE parents of a Kent toddler who drowned while on a Spanish holiday have urged other families to check hotel door locks are child proof.

Two-year-old Joshua Blanchard, of Barr Road, Gravesend, was in Arenal D’en Castell in Menorca with his parents and five-year-old sister when he drowned in an outdoor swimming pool.

Joshua is the son of North Kent police officer Glenn Blanchard and Marilyn Welch, who were both too upset to attend the inquest in Gillingham.

The hearing was told how in June 2005, Joshua left the second floor hotel room while the family slept and made his way down to the swimming pool at around 5am.

Mid and North Kent Coroner Roger Sykes recorded a verdict of accidental death and said that Joshua died as a result of immersion.

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