A DESPERATE father tried in vain to revive his little son who had drowned in a garden pond.

Robert Lambert fought frantically to save the life of 18-month-old Robbie, giving the toddler mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and heart massage.

But despite his efforts, the youngster later died in hospital.

Last night, Mr Lambert, 38, and his wife, Lesley, 32, were too distraught to talk about Wednesday's tragedy.

The blinds were drawn at the couple's Guisborough Road home in Thornaby as they comforted their older son Josh, four.

The tragedy has shocked the local community which described Mr and Mrs Lambert as "perfect parents".

Ken Cheal, 49, a Neighbourhood Watch area coordinator and neighbour, said: "Robbie was a lovely little lad, always playing with his older brother.

"The whole community is devastated by his death. Robert and Lesley are a lovely couple and are perfect parents.

"They are beside themselves with grief and thoughts of all their friends and neighbours are with them at this moment in time."

Following the tragedy, police and accident experts urged parents to be extra vigilant when children are playing near garden ponds and paddling pools.

It is believed Mr Lambert had been in the garden with Robbie just before the accident.

A distraught relative, who did not wish to be named, said: "Losing Robbie in such a tragic accident has hit the family very hard.

"Robbie had been playing in the garden, and his dad thought he had gone inside the house.

"His dad went inside, realised Robbie wasn't there and went back outside and found him.

"Robert tried to revive the little one until the paramedics arrived and took over. He is beside himself with grief.

"Both he and Lesley are doting parents who adore their children and live for them.

"It is totally devastating for them and friends and family are doing all they can to comfort them."

Mr Lambert is believed to have called an ambulance after finding his son and was instructed to continue giving mouth-to-mouth.

When paramedics arrived the boy was taken to University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, where he died.

Robbie's death is the fifth pond drowning this year in the UK, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa), who last night urged families with young children to fill in their ponds.

Jane Eason said: "Drowning is the third largest cause of accidental death in the home to the under-fives.

"The majority happen in July and August, which gives us great concern with the holidays being just around the corner.

"Water holds a very big fascination for children and we advise that if people do have a young child and a garden pond, they really should think about filling the pond in at least until the child is a little bit older.

"Children can drown in just a few seconds."

An inquest into Robbie's death was opened and adjourned in Middlesbrough yesterday.

A full inquest will take place at a later date when all police inquiries into the tragedy are complete, but it is believed Cleveland Police are not treating the incident as a suspicious death.