A TODDLER drowned in a canal just yards from a Blackburn pub where a couple were holding their wedding reception.

Staff and customers at the Moorings Pub launched a frantic search for two-year-old Joe Hutcheon after his parents spotted he had gone missing.

The accident happened just two weeks before Joe's third birthday.

The youngster was found in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal by a customer and was pulled to the bank.

Two people who were guests at the reception tried to save the youngster's life after he was pulled from the water.

Paramedics and police officers also attempted to resuscitate the youngster before he was taken to hospital.

The boy, who lives in Manxman Road with his parents Hazel and Robert, was taken to nearby Blackburn Royal Infirmary where he was declared dead later.

It is believed the toddler wandered out of a rear door at the pub and down some stairs on to the towpath before falling into the canal.

Police and the owners of The Moorings, in Bolton Road, The Pub Estate Company, have launched separate inquiries into the tragedy which happened around 5.30pm on Saturday.

A family member who was leaving flowers at the scene of the accident said: "This has come as a massive shock to everybody. "The parents are in pieces at the moment and it is a really difficult time for everyone."

Landlord Stephen Dobson added: "Everybody who was in the pub at the was out looking for the little boy.

"It was difficult to say how long he had gone missing for because it all happened so quickly. A member of the public found the toddler in the canal and we were trying to resuscitate him when the ambulance arrived."

Inspector John O'Reilly is appealing for anyone who was at the pub at the time of the accident to contact the police.

He said: "We received a call from the aunt of the boy to say he had gone missing from the pub.

"When the police got there the boy was found face down in the canal and people were given him resuscitation."

Insp O'Reilly added: "Joe was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where he died a short time later.

"This can only be described as a tragic incident for everybody involved.

"My officers stayed with the parents throughout the whole time and spoke to them late into the night. They were absolutely devastated."

At the time of the accident Joe was wearing a blue and green striped shirt, olive green trousers and blue and orange Action Man trainers.

Father Brian Kealey of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour RC Church in Pilmuir Road cut short his Saturday evening mass to be with the devastated family. Anyone who saw the youngster or who was at the pub at the time should ring Blackburn Police on 01254 51212.

Paul Cowland, the area business manager for the Pub Estate Company, said: "At this moment in time everybody has been left quite devastated by this tragedy.

"Obviously all our thoughts and sympathy go out to the family during this terrible time."

He added: "It is difficult to comment on what actually happened because we are still trying to piece together the events.

"The police our obviously carrying out inquiries but we will also be carrying out our own inquiries."

Blackburn coroner Andre Rebello was informed about the death and a post mortem examination was carried out yesterday.

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