Forensic teams scour footpaths near where missing boy, five, was found dead in river as detectives say they are 'keeping an open mind' about how he ended up in water

Detectives say they are keeping 'an open mind' over the death of a five-year-old boy whose body was pulled from a river, as forensic experts scour the nearby area.

Dozens of officers, forensics teams and police divers have been searching the playing field and paths leading from the family home in Sarn, Bridgend to the River Ogmore, less than quarter of a mile away. 

The boy, who has yet to be identified, was reported missing from his family's south Wales home at around 5.45am on Saturday morning.

His body was recovered in the River Ogmore, and he was pronounced dead after being taken to Bridgend's Princess of Wales Hospital.

Residents in Sarn area revealed they were woken at around 5.30am by the boy's mother screaming 'the back door was open'. 

Police say they are continuing to investigate how the boy ended up in the water as 'there are a lot of people in the local community who would like answers about what happened to him.' 

A body of a five-year-old boy was pulled from a Welsh river by police after they were called to reports of a missing child

Officers were called at 5.45am on Saturday to the Sarn area of Bridgend, south Wales. The boy's body was found in the River Ogmore

Detectives insist they are 'keeping an open mind' over the death of the five-year-old boy

Large parts of Pandy Park in Sarn were sealed off as police forensics teams carried out a fingertip search of the area.

Specially trained officers are supporting the boy's family and police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. 

Chief Inspector Geraint White said: 'Our condolences go out to the family of the young boy and our thoughts are with them.  

'The local neighbourhood police team will continue to support and speak to residents in the area, and I encourage people to talk to them if they have any concerns. 

'We are keeping an open mind and are working hard to establish the full circumstances of his death so that we can provide answers to his family.

'This is an extensive and sensitive investigation and many people have been affected by this death.' 

It comes after shocked residents told how they were woken to screams coming from outside the family home on the terraced row of flats. 

Shocked residents told how they were woken to screams coming from outside the family home on the terraced row of flats. Pictured: Forensic specialists scour the Sarn area

One neighbour said: 'I could hear the mum screaming for her son. She was shouting 'the back door was open' and calling for him.

'A short while later the old bill turned up and they've been here ever since.'

Other neighbours on the row of terraced flats where the boy lived said they were woken by shouts coming from the downstairs property.  

One woman said: 'I could hear a row going off. I think the mother was on the phone to the police.'

Another woman said: 'The police have been going door-to-door and asking questions and they've been looking in the park all day.'