Parents of dead toddler grieve

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate Abby Rae

The parents of a three-year-old girl who died after falling into a pond in Warwickshire have spoken of their sadness.

A statement issued by Abby Rae's parents describes their devastation at losing their daughter, but says they are thankful she had a happy life.

Abby, from Lower Brailles in south Warwickshire, went missing from the village's Ready, Teddy Go playgroup at 1030 GMT on Thursday.

Her mother found her minutes later facedown in an overgrown pond.

'Extremely distressed'

Her parents Vicky and Justin Rae said: "Abby was a very special little girl who touched everyone who knew her.

"We are devastated that she has been taken from us in such a tragic way, but we are thankful that she had a happy life in a loving environment.

"Her family and friends will miss her terribly and she will never be forgotten."

Despite attempts to resuscitate Abby, she was airlifted to the Diana Princess of Wales Children's Hospital, in Birmingham, where she later died.

Chief Inspector Mike Slemensek, from Warwickshire Police, said the whole community has be shocked by the little girl's death

"The incident has affected the whole village, particularly the staff at the nursery. They are deeply distressed."

Oftsed investigation

"Our inquiry is focusing around door to door inquiries and also speaking to staff at the nursery."

The incident has been reported to the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), which is responsible for inspecting nurseries and playgroups, and an investigation has begun.

A spokeswoman for Ofsted would not comment on the incident saying the investigation was still in its early stages.

But she said the playgroup concerned had been inspected in July and Oftsed had had "no issues" with it.