A TODDLER was found at the bottom of his grandparents' swimming pool after he wandered into the garden and fell into the water.

The family had been enjoying a relaxing day together and were inside the house when the boy disappeared.

They then began a frantic search for the two-year-old, who had last been seen playing in the lounge.

He was found in the pool and his grandfather Brian Jeffrey waded in to pull his grandson to the surface.

When police and ambulance crews arrived at the house in Bush Road, Cuxton, paramedics were seen trying to resuscitate the youngster.

Witnesses say they heard a scream coming from the garden. The morning after the tragedy forensic teams arrived to survey the scene of the tragedy.

A police spokesman said: "Forensics are called out as a matter of course. There is no indication of anything suspicious and this is being treated as nothing other than a tragic accident."

Friends arrived throughout the following day to offer their condolences to the boy's distraught young mother, Cara Jeffrey and her parents, Brian and Sally.

The large detached house is in a quiet country road and neighbours say everyone is devastated by the news.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said: "It is a terrible tragedy. With water around you just have to keep your eyes peeled all the time. It is awful that something like this could happen to this poor family."

Cuxton parish vicar, the Rev Roger Knight, said: "These things happen so quickly. You can just be turned away for a minute and something happens. It's terribly sad for everyone concerned."

The swimming pool has now been dismantled and will be buried in the garden.

The boy has not yet been named by police. An inquest will be held.