THE heartbroken parents of a three-year-old tot who drowned after wandering out of the back door of a canalside pub have spoken about the tragedy for the first time - and said a simple fence would have saved him.

Hazel and Robert Hutcheon, of Manxman Road, Blackburn, have been devastated by the death of their son Joe outside the town's Moorings pub two weeks ago.

But they have told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph that they don't want people to look for someone to blame.

Mrs Hutcheon said: "Joe was not only our little boy but our life as well. My husband Robert and I loved him and cherished him as I'm sure most parents do.

"He was always with us. He was our life. Everything we did, everywhere we went, he had to come too."

The couple, who also have a daughter, Laura, said Joe could have gone to stay with relatives that weekend.

Mrs Hutcheon went on: "He could have gone to his nana's, but, as always, he wanted to be with his dad and I.

"But I'm glad the time we had with him. He never left our side."

The accident took place yards away from where a couple were holding a wedding reception at the pub in Bolton Road and just two weeks after Joe's third birthday. There is a fenced off play area outside the pub but people have to pass an open area leading to the canal towpath to reach it. The youngster was found in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal by a customer and was pulled to the bank, where manager Stuart Lee gave him heart massage and mouth to mouth resuscitation.

Two people who were guests at the reception, paramedics and police officers also attempted to save the youngster's life.

Mrs Hutcheon said: "Any true friend who knows me knows I don't need to explain, but the ignorant and do-gooders are causing too much pain."

She believes Joe followed older children out of a locked door at the rear of a pub and while the couple dismiss calls for railings along all canals they believe the pub should have a fence.

"The canals around the country are, I think, tranquil places where ducks, swans and other wildlife should be open to view.

"Ifs, buts and onlys will never bring Joe back but if there had been just a simple fence he would be here now.

"After all, a playground should be the safest place of all. I haven't got it in my heart to blame or judge. Just why, I keep asking, was this allowed to happen? I would not want anyone else to feel this pain."

Colin Homer, managing director of The Pub Estate Company which owns the Moorings, said: "There will be an inquest into this incident and we are working closely with the coroner. We will respond as a company to the recommendations that are made."

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