A traumatised mother was heard screaming "hysterically" after her two-year-old son drowned in a canal near his home in Wolverhampton.

It is believed that the toddler escaped from his house after the front door was left open due to hot weather, according to neighbours.

Locals say the young boy went to the water's edge, which is less than 100 metres away from his home.

After realising their son was missing, the family began searching for the two-year-old.

Members of the community joined the hunt shortly before 6pm yesterday near Catchem Corners Bridge in the suburb of Ettingshall.

Neighbours said the mother was "screaming hysterically for [her] baby boy" after he was spotted in the water near the ducks which he loved.

The family contacted police who arrived at the scene and told members of the public that the young boy was wearing a blue top and green bottoms, according to a local source.

Officers managed to rescue him from the water but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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"It is every parents' worst nightmare, for your child to disappear and then be found dead," a mother-of-two who doesn't know the family but came to lay flowers, told the Daily Mail.

"It used to so very sad and painful to contemplate. My heart goes out to the family."

The local resident said the mother was "screaming hysterically, 'my baby boy, my baby boy'."

The victim has not yet been named.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "At around 5.30pm today n Sunday we received a 999 call and sent officers to the area. A two-year-old boy was found in water near to the canal towpath.

"Officers entered the water and pulled the boy out of the water, before performing CPR until paramedics arrived.

"He was taken to hospital, but despite the best efforts of the emergency services he sadly died.

"We do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances and have referred his death to the coroner. We are supporting the family at this devastating time.

"We will have local officers in the area today to offer reassurance and support to our communities."