INVESTIGATIONS were continuing today into the swimming pool tragedy that left an eight-year-old boy dead.

Kaimen Ward was pulled from the pool at Northallerton's Hambleton Leisure Centre after getting into difficulties on Wednesday afternoon.

Lifeguards tried to resuscitate him at the scene but he was later pronounced dead at the town's Friarage Hospital.

The youngster, who lived with his family in Ashlands Road, Northallerton, had celebrated his birthday just a week earlier.

The pool is run by Hambleton District Council and today the authority said it was co-operating fully with the police investigation into the tragedy.

The council has also launched its own internal investigation - including an independent safety review.

"We are conducting a thorough review," said chief executive Peter Simpson.

"All our operating procedures were being followed. There were three lifeguards on duty at the time of this incident as well as swimming instructors preparing for lessons - they were all involved and are deeply upset about the outcome.

"But they have been comforted by the number of messages of support which have come in from our customers."

The council's cabinet member for health, Peter Wilkinson, added: "This is a tragedy and our condolences are with Kaimen's family.

"Northallerton is a close knit community and the whole town is saddened by the event."

Since Kaimen's death the centre has remained closed, both as a mark of respect and to allow a full investigation to be carried out.

However it will re-open tomorrow at 8.30am.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 0845-6060-247.