A vow to review lifeguard patrols at a beach has been made after the death of an eight-year-old boy.

A major rescue attempt failed to save the life of Jordan Moon, from Hartlepool, who drowned at Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool.

The tragedy has led lifeboatmen, councillors and a former lifeguard to step up their campaign to reinstate the lifeguard service withdrawn in 2001.

Jordan, who often visited Seaton Carew beach, died after being swept off his feet by 7ft to 8ft waves just metres from a disused lifeguard hut at about 2.45pm on Saturday.

The alarm was raised by his mother and in minutes the lifeboat and an RAF helicopter were used in a major rescue attempt. However Jordan never regained consciousness and was declared dead at James Cook University Hospital.

Hartlepool Borough Council withdrew seven fully-trained lifeguards on the beach and The Headlands coastal area of Hartlepool to save about £39,000. However in a statement yesterday the council said reinstating the service during the summer months was a "high priority."

Simon Athey, a former lifeguard on the beach, has campaigned to have the service reinstated and foretold future deaths in a public statement just two weeks ago.

He said: "There is no excuse now for lifeguards not being on that beach. Unfortunately I have been telling them for the last two years somebody was going to die soon. I hate to have been right."

Mr Athey says he was approached by council chiefs in June this year to run lifeguards at the beach over the summer period. But the sea safety expert did not hear back after he asked for £9,500 to get the service up and running.

Mike Craddy, secretary to Hartlepool Lifeboat, said: "What price do the council put on life? We've had one tragedy. How many more before somebody takes notice?"

Councillors Cath Hill and Stan Kaiser have added their voices to the call to have the service reinstated.

A spokesman for the council said: "The lifeguard service was withdrawn along with some other council services due to severe budget pressures.

"Since then we have continued to explore other funding options, including sponsorship and it still remains a high priority for the council."

Police said Jordan's family were too distraught to comment yesterday.