The incident happened on Sunday night in Cherval in the Dordogne area, 80 miles north east of Bordeaux.

He has been named as Edward McConaghey, from Glenlough Road in Ballymoney.

It is understood the accident happened as his family was getting ready to return home from their holiday villa.

Edward left his bed and made his way to the swimming pool shortly before midnight, as his parents loaded luggage into their car.

Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene but were unable to resuscitate him.

He is the second child to drown in the Dordogne area this year.

Local tourism promoters have been involved in a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of leaving children unattended near swimming pools.