AN 11-year-old boy drowned as he tried to swim across a deep lake on a golf course in a Manchester park, an inquest heard today.

Craig Summerfield of Harry Thorneycroft Walk, Beswick, had been trying to clean his muddy trousers after searching for golf balls in Heaton Park on a hot day in July this year.

But the youngster got into trouble after deciding to swim across the 150ft-wide pond, known locally as The Gully.

Hearing his cry for help two friends who were with him - Kirsty Sloane, 11, and teenager Leo Loughran -tried desperately to save him.

The pair swam out and grabbed hold of Craig, but couldn't keep him afloat as he struggled in the chilly water, Manchester Coroners Court was told.

Eventually the pair were exhausted by their efforts to save the drowning boy and were forced to swim back to the banks of the pond.

Paramedics and fire crews were quickly on the scene but couldn't find Craig in the murky water, which is understood to be more than 12ft deep in places.

Police divers from Cheshire took nearly two hours to reach the boy, who was then rushed to Booth Hall Hospital.

Manchester Coroner Leonard Gorodkin heard that doctors tried in vain for nearly two hours to revive Craig.

Recording a verdict of death by misadventure, Mr Gorodkin said it was a very sad case. ''Cold does affect people. Whether or not it was a factor with Craig, we don't know,'' he said. ''He went in with the intention of swimming. He didn't have an accident, he simply couldn't get across.''