THE grieving family of eight-year-old Jaffer Javid who drowned just yards from his home has slammed Bolton Council over the "death trap" pond where he died.

The tragic schoolboy drowned in Blackshaw Lodge -- the sides of which are so steep even an experienced swimmer would struggle to escape.

But the pond, off Blackshaw Lane, Deane, is not cordoned off and neighbours say it has become a popular play area for children.

The young boy's family and friends are furious that there are no warning signs near the six foot deep stretch of water.

It is the second drowning tragedy in Bolton in a week following the death of 33-year-old David McHugh who disappeared in Belmont's Blue Lagoon as he tried to rescue his son after an inflatable dinghy burst and capsized. Jaffer of Oriel Street, Deane, disappeared at lunchtime on Friday and a frantic 48-hour search for him was mounted by the police and mountain rescue volunteers.

His body was recovered by underwater divers at midnight on Saturday in the pond just five minutes from his home.

It followed a frantic independent search by members of the town's Muslim community in which more than 60 cars driven by friends, family and relatives of the boy meticulously combed the borough in the hope of spotting him.

Agonisingly, Jaffer's uncle Nisar Ishaq said he and several other people had searched the scene of the boy's death just hours before he was pulled out of the pond but they had been forced to abandon their attempts due to poor light.

Mr Ishaq, who had two sleepness nights of worry, bitterly criticised Bolton Council over Jaffer's death.

He said: "This news has hit us hard because we had never given up hope. "On Saturday night we were just waiting and waiting for him to come back.

"When I saw the place where he had died I was stunned. My nephew should not have been allowed access to such an area.

"It's a hazardous wasteland and something needs to be done now before anything like this happens again."

A post mortem examination last night revealed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Jaffer's death.

He was last seen by his parents playing outside the family home and they became worried when he had not returned for lunch at 2pm. Detectives and 28 members of Bolton mountain rescue team combed the area but made greater progress following tip-offs from members of the public.

A young cyclist, according to police, had contacted two adults to tell them his friend had drowned but it was not until a media appeal was launched that the people came forward.

Attempts have been made to trace the cyclist, a white boy with blond hair aged around eight, in the hope that he may have vital clues.

Det Supt Bob Huntbach, who led the police hunt, said: "It is essential that we speak to the boy. He may have spoken to other people who have not come forward so far but who may be able to help us in our inquiries. "It may well be the boy hasn't told his parents what happened because he was told he wasn't allowed to play in the area. But we need to contact him."

Jaffer was described by his uncle as a kind, loving boy who lived within a close-knit family.

The Manchester United fan moved to Deane from Halliwell two months ago and had been looking forward to a new term at Brandwood Country Primary School.

He had previously attended Oxford Grove County Primary.

Mr Ishaq said: "It's such a tragedy. If he hadn't moved to Deane he would still be alive today but the fact is the area he was playing just wasn't safe. "He was so loved. His mum spoiled him and he really adored her. The whole thing has been very devastating for the whole family.

"Jaffer was a very nice kid who was loved by everyone. He was always smiling and very happy."

His parents, Naseem and Ansar Javid, were too distraught to talk while his three brothers, Nasser, Yasser and Amer, and three sisters, Ansah, Zara and Kubra, were today still trying to come to terms with his death.

Gary Rhodes, who co-ordinated the mountain rescue team which searched for more than 10 hours on Saturday, said: "Our sympathies go out to Jaffer's family and the Asian community. "Many of our members have children of their own and know what the Javids must be going through. We only wish there could have been a positive outcome."

Anyone with any information on Jaffer's death should contact 0161 856 5643.