A 13-YEAR-OLD girl has died after being pulled unconscious from a swimming pool.

Anne-Marie Readshaw, who lived in the Ferryhill area, of County Durham, had been swimming with her friends at Spennymoor Leisure Centre on Saturday afternoon when she got into difficulties.

It is thought she may have suffered an epileptic fit, but when she was rescued by staff from the pool she was still breathing.

Efforts to revive her failed and she was taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

But Anne-Marie, a pupil at St John's School in Bishop Auckland, was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Police have described the incident as a "tragic sudden death" and said that it was not being treated as suspicious.

Anne-Marie is the grand-daughter of the Mayor of Ferryhill, Kath Conroy.

Family members were too upset last night to speak about the tragedy, which had happened when the pool had been busy with young swimmers.

Acting Inspector Vince Addison, of Newton Aycliffe police, said: "She was found unconscious in the pool and could not be revived at pool side.

"She was then taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

"We don't know the exact cause of death, but it is not being treated as suspicious."

The Health and Safety Executive has been alerted to the death and is investigating.

Police were also at the leisure centre during the weekend, to take statements from witnesses.

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out, possibly later today.

Phil Ball, director of leisure services at Sedgefield Borough Council, which runs the sports centre, said: "The staff are clearly distressed by what has taken place and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends of the girl.

"We have checked and double- checked our systems and procedures and it would appear that this was just a tragic death."