THE mother of an eight-year-old boy who drowned off a North-East beach told last night of her grief.

June Wharam spoke after the inquest into the death of her son, Jordan Moon, after he was swept out to sea off Seaton Carew beach, near Hartlepool.

Hartlepool coroner Malcolm Donnelly praised Jordan's ten-year-old friend, identified only as Paul, who tried three times to pull him from the waves, on Saturday. Mr Donnelly described it as a "freak accident" and recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He told The Northern Echo: "Paul is very upset and I thought it was important to praise him. His parents, Jordan's parents and everyone who knows him can be proud of him."

Ms Wharam said: "He was a lovely, lovely son. He was a typical eight-year-old boy but he had something else about him that made him shine. He made everybody who knew him smile."

Jordan had been playing by the side of the water with his sister Danielle, ten, and Paul, when a 7ft to 8ft spring tide swept him away.

After a rescue attempt, a helicopter eventually winched him to safety, but despite resuscitation attempts, he died later in the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

Hartlepool Borough Council has been criticised for withdrawing lifeguard patrols on the beach in 2001 to cut costs.

It is considering reintroducing the patrols, but has said it will not be this year.