RUMOURS that a young playmate was involved in the drowning of five-year-old Tony Faulkner were last night quashed by the dead boy's mother.

Devastated Donna Young, 21, paid tribute to her son, who plunged from a pier into the North Sea at Seaham, County Durham, on Sunday afternoon.

Tony and his ten-year-old friend were riding their bikes along the pier when he fell into the rough sea.

Donna, of Fox Street, Dawdon, Seaham, said she wanted to end the rumours circulating in the area.

She said: "The family want to say we are not party to these rumours and have full confidence in the police investigation into the tragic death of a small boy."

Donna, who has one other child, added: "Tony was a fun-loving boy who was always smiling and always wanted to play. He was full of adventure and will be badly missed by everyone who knew him.

"He will always be loved and remembered as the happy little boy he was, and the memory of his cheeky little smile will always brighten up our lives."

The pier, owned by Seaham Dock Company, has been closed to the public for three years and is open to authorised users only.

Dr Mervyn Blades, managing director, said the area was fenced off and patrolled by security guards on evenings and weekends.

Detective Chief Inspector Denny Pygall, of Durham Police, appealed for witnesses to the incident, which is being treated as an accident.

Police are preparing a report for the Sunderland coroner. Witnesses should call Seaham Police on 0191-581 2255