THE parents of a toddler who drowned in a garden pool warned other families last night to fill in their ponds to avoid suffering the same agony.

Julie Johnson and Danny Randall, from Woodside, Brotton, east Cleveland, told of their "intense pain" at the loss of their 15-month-old daughter, Katie.

Katie Randall was the youngest in the family. Her brother and six sisters range in age from five to 14. They were said yesterday to be badly shocked and traumatised by her death.

A family spokesman said that the tot's parents were numb with shock.

He said: "Julie and Danny loved Katie so much. She was known as nana's little princess. The whole family, especially her brother and sisters, will forever cherish and miss her. To them she is now an angel."

He said the tragic circumstances of Katie's death, on Sunday evening, were proving hard to deal with.

"Katie was an adorable little girl who had a happy smile for everyone. Julie said the pain she and Danny are feeling is so intense they would not wish it upon anyone else."

Ms Johnson and Mr Randall pleaded with other parents to take steps to avoid the same torment.

The spokesman said: "Their message is that ponds can be a danger and should be filled in if others want to escape the anguish and heartache they are now suffering."

He said Katie's parents were trying to be strong for the other children while coping with their own grief.

Detective Inspector Colin Galloway, from Cleveland Police, said: "Katie's mother and father have been totally devastated by this tragedy and are desperately trying to come to terms with the loss.

"This has been a harrowing ordeal for the family and our thoughts are with them.

"It will take a long while for them to come to terms with their loss. This is a tragic accident which has taken the life of a young, innocent girl."

A report is being prepared for the coroner.