Parents of pond death boy speak of devastation

The parents of a three-year-old boy who drowned in a neighbour's pond paid an emotional tribute to their "gorgeous" son yesterday.

Freddie Watmough was found face down in the pond in the garden of a neighbour's house in Dover on Saturday morning after police launched a search when he went missing.

An officer tried to give him first aid but the boy was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.

"There are no words to describe how we are feeling. We can't even begin to imagine life without our little man," his parents said in a statement.

"We love and miss him so, so much and would give anything to hear him, see him and feel him again."

Police said the boy's death was not being treated as suspicious.

"We'd like to thank everyone who tried to save our gorgeous little boy," his parents said.

"Freddie lived for climbing, any object was seen as just another obstacle to be conquered, with determination. We just can't believe he was taken from us so suddenly and in such a tragic way."