An eight-year-old boy who drowned at Wolverhampton’s main leisure centre was named today as Suraj Mall, as his family paid tribute to “mummy’s sunshine”.

The youngster, who lived in Priestfield, was with his mother at Wolverhampton Swimming & Fitness Centre when he got into difficulties in the swimming pool.

Paramedics and lifeguards tried to save him but he was pronounced dead after being taken to New Cross Hospital on Sunday evening.

The Health & Safety executive and police have been investigating the death of Suraj, who lived on Pembroke Avenue.

Today, as an inquest was opened at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court, his family, including mother Lajli Kaur, aged 31, a postal worker, and father Nirmal Mall, 40, a landscape gardener, released a moving tribute.

It said: “On behalf of the family, I would like to say a few words in memory of mummy’s sunshine and daddy’s little helper. Suraj has a special place in everyone’s heart. He had a great sense of humour and when he laughed he would make you laugh with him.”

Coroner Mr Richard Allen offered his sympathies and adjourned the inquest to a date to be fixed.