A four-year-old boy drowned in Upton-upon-Severn Marina after falling from his dad's boat, an inquest has heard.

Dominic Naylor's body was discovered on the marina bed beneath the boat's open porthole.

Worcestershire coroner Victor Round told Monday's (March 18) inquest that although it could never be proved, Dominic had probably climbed out of the window by stepping on a holdall.

"It would never have crossed my mind that a child would be in danger of going out of the window," said Mr Round at Worcester magistrates court.

"It's all very well to be wise after the event. This was one of those things that was going to happen."

Dominic was found by police divers on Thursday, August 30, after being reported missing by his dad, Christopher.

The tot was spending a week on the Princess 330 cruiser with his dad, two-and-a-half year-old sister Madison, his dad's new girlfriend Tracy Hughes and her nine year-old-son Jacob.

Dominic's parents had separated four months earlier, and had decided each would look after the children for a week at a time.

On Saturday, August 25, Mr Naylor collected the two children from their mum's home at Pack-ington Lane, Hopwas, Tamworth, Staffordshire.

The inquest heard that Dominic shared a cabin with his sister.

"They had been on the boat many times before," said Detective Constable Teresa Myatt.

She told the inquest that on Wednesday, August 29, the family had been out during the evening at the King's Head pub in Upton.

The children had fallen asleep and the family was driven back to the marina by taxi.

The children were all put to bed.

"Jacob said he heard crying," said Det Con Myatt.

"He was going to look but the crying stopped. He didn't see Dominic at all."

At around 6.15am, Mr Naylor woke up and discovered Dominic was missing.

His body was pulled from the water four hours later.

Mr Round recorded a verdict of accidental death.

n THE mother of Dominic Naylor is to visit Upton-upon-Severn on Monday (March 25). Karen Naylor will also be attending a presentation on water safety with members of Upton's Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) in Ross-on-Wye, as well as helping with fundraising.