A GRIEVING mother today made a heartfelt plea to be left in peace as she mourns the tragic death of her toddler son.

Catrina Rae broke down as she spoke of being forced to ask for a police escort to leave her home to arrange 21-month-old Alexander's funeral.

Alexander drowned in a pool of water on tarpaulin which covered an ornamental pond at Hilltop Bunnies nursery, Belmont.

Mrs Rae said: "I have been happy to speak to my local newspapers, but can't believe how callous some of the other reporters have been.

"One from a Manchester paper followed me and my partner to the funeral directors. Now I just want to be left alone to grieve.

"I will never get over what has happened. It has ruined my life. The last time I saw my son he was playing on his bike. I expected him to be safe as I went off to work. The next thing I knew he was dead." The nursery is part of six-bedroom Hilltop Farm which is owned by retired construction boss Joseph Brown.

Today Mr Brown, whose daughter Caroline runs the nursery, said: "We are all in a state of shock. The staff are all devastated and feel really knocked over by what has happened. I cannot begin to tell you what sort of day we have just had." A post-mortem examination carried out by Home office pathologist Dr Bill Lawlor, has confirmed that Alexander, of Oakmere Avenue, Withnell Fold, died from drowning.

Three female members of staff at the nursery have been questioned by police and two more will be quizzed today.

Acting Detective Inspector Joe Kellett, said: "Some of the staff have taken it very badly and are extremely distraught.

"It is our job to find out the full facts and pass them on to the coroner."

The Health and Safety Executive have launched their own investigation.

The 20ft-long pond was dug five years ago when the BBC used the farm as a film location for All Quiet on the Preston Front.

When the nursery opened in a converted stone barn at the farm last year, the pond was covered with a beam and a lattice of wooden slats and a tarpaulin.

The nursery is registered with Lancashire Social Services and is subject to the normal inspections and visits.

Social services issue principles of care for day care children under eight.

They say: "Day care providers have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for the children they look after. These may include awareness of hazards within the environment, for example water, and the need to actively protect children from hazards and the vital role adults have in this."

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