The parents of a five-year-old Derry boy have said that safety measures at a hotel swimming pool where their son died are inadequate.

Colum Canning tragically drowned at the Thomas Cook-owned Explorers Hotel at Disneyland Paris a week before Christmas.

His heartbroken parents Karen Canning and David Bradley explained how their young son lost his life.

A statement described how Ms Canning had only taken her attention from her children to fetch a camera to take a photograph of the three of them together in the hotel pool.

When she turned around she could only see two of her children in the water.

"At first she thought he was just hiding. Not long after, Karen noticed the commotion by the pool and just knew it was Colum," the statement said.

The pool at the hotel has a pirate ship theme and features a large bucket attachment where Colum was found.

"The bucket fills with water and then tips over allowing the water to cascade down the side. If you did not see the bucket tipping over or were unaware of its presence then its force could easily push someone under the water.

"There was just a paper sign warning children under 13 that they were using the facility at their own risk and there was still no lifeguard on duty.

"Colum's life must not be in vain and we would hope that lessons will be learned that will save lives in the future", the parents said.

The Thomas Cook travel firm expressed its "deepest sympathies" to the family and says it is conducting its own investigation into the tragedy.

"Following the immediate investigation and the reopening of the pool by the police, our own independent investigation is ongoing," it said.

Colum had been on a visit to Disneyland Paris with his twin brother Kieran and his sister Caitlin. The twins would have celebrated their sixth birthdays on St Stephen's Day at their home in Derry's Hazelbank area.

Ms Canning says that Thomas Cook must explain how a five-year-old boy could die at an international resort especially geared for children.