Lewis Ashley, from Waverley Place in Newbiggin, was rescued from the sea by a lifeboat crew, but later died in hospital.

He was rescued by a crew off Church Point, near Newbiggin, on Wednesday.

It is believed he had been playing on the beach but somehow got into difficulties in relatively shallow waters.

It is not clear what happened - being such a young lad maybe he couldn't swim at all Humber Coastguard

He was spotted struggling by a teenage girl who phoned the emergency services shortly before 1800 GMT.

The Newbiggin inshore lifeboat was called and a crew pulled the youngster from the water.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said the boy's death was being investigated.

He added: "At this stage we are not treating the incident as suspicious."

Good visibility

A Coastguard spokesman said: "Early reports suggest the young lad was playing on the beach or riding his bike on the beach and fell into the water.

"He was spotted struggling in the water by a young girl who called for help.

"It is not clear what happened - being such a young lad maybe he couldn't swim at all."

A spokeswoman for Wansbeck General Hospital in Ashington confirmed he died late on Wednesday.

The Humber Coastguard said sea conditions were slight with good visibility at the time.