THE officer leading a 20-strong team of detectives investigating the drowning of five-year-old Tony Faulkner has today expressed his disappointment at the public's response to appeals for help.

The little boy fell into the sea from Seaham's North Pier as he played with a 10-year-old pal shortly before 4.30pm, on Sunday.

He was hauled from the water by passer-by David Stoker, but attempts to revive him at the scene failed and he was pronounced dead after being airlifted to Sunderland Royal Hospital.

A post mortem examination carried out earlier this week confirmed Tony, of Fox Street, in Dawdon, had died from drowning.

Five days after the death, a large number of officers are still working on the case from a dedicated incident room which has been set up at the police station in Seaham, a town left shocked by the tragedy.

Officers say they will continue to treat the youngster's death seriously until they discover exactly what happened.

But Detective Superintendent David Grey leading the investigation admitted he was "very disappointed" with the public's response.

Officers have received just one sighting suggesting two boys answering the youngsters' descriptions had been in the Noah's Ark pub, near Seaham docks, some time after 2.30pm on Sunday.

The boys had been playing on their bikes and are believed to have been in or near several public houses in Seaham. There is no suggestion they had been drinking.

Det Supt Grey, head of Durham CID, said: "Other people must have seen these boys during the afternoon and it remains vital they get in touch if they are to help us piece together the boy's movements.

"We know that people heard cries for help and responded to them, but exactly how Tony came to be in the water remains unclear and it is imperative that we establish exactly what happened.

"There are a lot of questions that need answering."

Earlier this week, Tony's mother, 21-year-old Donna Young, quashed rumours circulating in Seaham that her son's young friend had been involved in his death.

The 10-year-old boy has been questioned by police and was expected to be spoken to again.

Anyone with information is urged to call the incident room on 0191-375 2711, or Seaham Police on 0191-581 2255.