The emergency services were called to the resort at Longleat in Wiltshire after a "serious medical incident" at a swimming pool at around 11am this morning.

Wiltshire Police said: "Our thoughts are with the boy's family at this difficult time."

The death is not being treated as suspicious, the force added.

Earlier, Center Parcs UK confirmed the "serious incident" in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, a water park that includes a wave pool and water slides.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic news that a young guest has passed away at Longleat Forest today [24 December]," it said.

"We are offering our support to the family and to our employees who provided immediate assistance.

"Our thoughts remain with the family at this very difficult time."

Wiltshire Police said officers were called to the leisure complex with ambulance staff this morning.

One holidaymaker staying at Centre Parcs for Christmas told the PA news agency: "Thankfully we didn't see anything. We noticed a big crowd all leaving the plaza.

"We were headed back to our lodge to have lunch before swimming. I checked my phone and saw the pool was closed due to an incident.

"Obviously that's all we knew originally.

"The plaza is all open, the parc market, gift shops, etc - there is just a temporary barrier across the entrance to the pool itself."

The mother-of-five, from the Midlands, said the resort had made public announcements that the sub-tropical swimming paradise would remain closed for Christmas Eve.

Center Parcs said it hopes to reopen the water park tomorrow morning.