Fairground death boy named

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a popular attraction

Police have named the 11-year-old boy who died after falling from a Blackpool fairground ride as Christopher Anthony Sherratt.

They said the locally-based child died from head and body injuries sustained from falling from the car of the Space Invader rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach at about 2015 BST on Friday night.

A police spokeswoman said the boy's mother had identified him.

He added that there would be a joint police and health and safety executive investigation which would include examining the ride in detail, along with other equipment.

The ride was closed immediately after the accident.

A Lancashire Police spokeswoman said Christopher's body had been taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where a post-mortem examination is expected on Saturday.

Christopher Sherratt: Body identified by mother

David Cam, company secretary and director of the pleasure beach, said: "We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of the young boy and we are co-operating fully with the investigation.

"Safety is of huge importance to us and we are very proud of our record," he said.

"The Space Invader itself has had an excellent safety record since it opened in 1984."

The Space Invader was built by German manufacturer Zierrer and since opening in 1984 it has carried half a million passengers a year.