By Ted JeoryA FAMILY was in mourning last night after the body of their two-year-old boy was found in a garden pond.Prayers were being said for Steven Pester, who was found in the pond at his home in the picturesque village of Bardfield Saling, near Braintree.

By Ted Jeory

A FAMILY was in mourning last night after the body of their two-year-old boy was found in a garden pond.

Prayers were being said for Steven Pester, who was found in the pond at his home in the picturesque village of Bardfield Saling, near Braintree.

The toddler was certified dead at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, and a post-mortem examination will be carried out today. It is believed Steven drowned at his Bardfield Road home.

Last night, his grieving family was too upset to talk about Steven's death, but village vicar, the Rev Brian Snelling, offered some words of consolation.

“I wish to send out my deepest sympathy to the young boy's family, who will be facing up to such a terrible tragedy. I want them to know that if there is anything that we can do to help, then we shall,” he said.

Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Bird, of Braintree police, said: “There is nothing to suggest that the child's death was anything other than a tragic accident. Our sympathy goes out to the family.”

Police investigating the incident said the maximum depth of the pond was 2ft 8in and warned parents of the dangers young children faced when playing outside in the current hot weather.

Acting Detective Inspector Simon Willett, of Essex Police's child protection unit, said: “This is another example of how even a shallow pond can prove to be a fatal attraction for children. Wherever ponds exist, the risks to children cannot be overstressed.”

ted.jeory@eadt.co.uk