CENTER Parcs said it was "deeply saddened" by the death of the young boy on Saturday (August 17).

The Nottinghamshire-based company said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic news that a young guest passed away after becoming unwell whilst at Longleat Forest.

"Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time. We are continuing to offer our support to the family and to our employees who provided immediate assistance.

"In accordance with the family’s wishes for privacy at this difficult time, we will not be providing any further detail or comment."

The eyewitness said: "It was reported to us that sadly a child had passed away; there had been some very intense resuscitation attempts by staff.

"I have been shocked and surprised that no acknowledgment or information was given by Center Parcs .

"With three children using the water park everyone was very upset and anxious about the pool area. Center Parcs did not even acknowledge the event anywhere."

Center Parcs opened its Longleat Forest holiday village in 1997. It now operates five short break holiday villages in the UK and one in Ireland.

The company came to the UK in July 1987, when it opened its first village in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, offering short break holidays on a year-round basis.

The Center Parcs concept is to provide short breaks in the forest, bringing families together and back to nature with high quality accommodation.

It offers a range of leisure facilities and more than 200 indoor and outdoor activities, all set within a protected and enhanced woodland environment.

Each village is set within around 400 acres of natural woodland, with trees, streams and wildlife surrounding apartment and lodge accommodation.

At the heart of each village is the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, an extensive range of restaurants, cafés and retail outlets, as well as the Aqua Sana Spa.