THE funeral takes place tomorrow of 10 year-old Jonathan Pendlebury who tragically drowned on a seaside outing.

The youngster, of Everest Road, Hag Fold, was on a family trip when he drowned in the sea at Blackpool while he and his sister were playing with a beach ball.

A service will be held at St George's Church, Atherton, followed by burial at Howe Bridge.

And the family's tragic loss has brought a warning from safety experts. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said a combination of hot weather and the holiday season was proving a fatal combination.

National statistics show this year 38 children under 10 have died in drowning incidents compared to 33 in the whole of

1998.

A RoSPA spokesman said: "Those most at risk are children and young men.

"We urge everyone to stay out of inland water sites and go to a properly supervised beach or pool."

NEIGHBOURS and friends have rallied in support of the Pendleburys.

The tragedy rocked the Hag Fold community where a series of charity events have been organised to help Jonathan's grieving family.

Regulars at the Poet's Corner pub have put a swear box on the bar and on Saturday a car boot sale (entry £2) starts at 10am.

"We'll be giving the proceeds to Jonathan's mum," said Pat Dodd ,who runs the pub with Pam Wood.

"With a large family to look after obviously she had no time to come into the pub.

"But a lot of our customers are neighbours or have children who went to school with Jonathan. They want to do everything they can to help.

"This is a community pub and we want to do everything possible."

A bouncy castle (inside if it rains) will keep youngsters occupied and on Sunday a charity football match kicks-off at 11.30 on the field next to Atherton LR ground.

The final event is a concert with artists, karaoke and a disco which begins next Thursday (7.30pm) in The Poet's Corner.

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