POLICE are investigating the death of a 10-year-old Fleetwood boy who died during a school trip at the weekend.

Max Palmer was with an outward bound school trip on Sunday (May 26) when he got into difficulty in water at Glenridding near Penrith, Cumbria mid-morning.

His mother, 37-year-old Patricia Palmer was also with the trip as an educational support assistant when the tragedy happened.

On Sunday a spokesman for Cumbria Police said: "Shortly before 11.30 this morning police received reports that a boy had got into difficulties in a beck near Glenridding during an outdoor pursuit trip.

"Police and mountain rescue teams attended. Attempts were made to revive the boy but unfortunately they were unsuccessful."

A police investigation, expected to include interviews with child witnesses, was launched to try to clarify the circumstances surrounding the death.

It was unclear whether Max had been an official member of the party.

Mother-of-two Mrs Palmer was taken to hospital for treatment following the incident but was later discharged.

A police spokesman later said: "The family are clearly distressed by the tragic circumstances.

"The incident will require sensitive handling by the Cumbria Police who will carry out a thorough and objective investigation."

He described Mrs Palmer as "an educational support assistant in relation to the official school party" and confirmed the group was from a Lancashire school.

A post mortem examination was due to be carried out on Sunday evening by a Home Office pathologist, he added.