The family of a grandmother and her grandson who are thought to have drowned in a duck pond have paid tribute to the pair, saying they had a special relationship based on a "shared love of fun and laughter."

Dawn Mullany, 71, of Castle Bytham in Lincolnshire, and her six-year-old grandson Laurence Mullany Mills, from Ketton in Rutland, were pulled from the water in nearby Holywell Village, Lincolnshire last week.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police, who are not treating the deaths as suspicious, described their deaths as a tragic accident after post mortem tests showed the pair had drowned.

One theory is that Laurence fell into the water while feeding ducks and that his grandmother died trying to rescue him.

In a statement released by Lincolnshire Police today, the family thanked relatives, friends and the community for their gifts and support since the incident.

They described Dawn as a "great friend, loving mother and a doting and devoted grandmother" who was "adored by all".

The 71-year-old shared a "special relationship" based on a mutual love of fun and laughter with her grandson Laurence, or Laurie as he was known, they said.

Laurie, who has a sister called Nancy, was described as a "gentle and caring brother."

"He was a son with a wonderfully infectious smile who could warm the coldest place or light the darkest room.

"He had a limitless, bristling and bubbly enthusiasm for the new, and a burning curiosity to get involved with everything and anything, whether taking to the stage or the rugby field," the family said.

They added: "Their death leaves a hole in our lives that can never be filled. We will all have our own happy and special memories of the two of them, and we will ensure these memories never fade but burn more brightly than ever before."

The tragedy shocked the community near Ms Mullany's home.

Ms Mullany's cleaner Hilary Barnsdale, 59, described her "great friend" as an "outgoing, bubbly and independent woman".

She said: "She was brilliant person who would do anything for anyone.

"She was very independent. I wouldn't have guessed she was 71.

"The news came as a shock to me and her friends in the village. Everybody knew her. She was a good person and a good friend."
Mrs Barnsdale said she heard about the deaths in a local shop.

"I couldn't believe it, I'd only seen her on Monday and she was her usual happy self," she said.

"Her grandson wasn't there then, but she saw her family regularly."

She added: "I've seen a picture of the grandson. He was a good-looking boy with mousy hair. She thought the world of him."

In their statement today, the family said: "We have been moved by the many tributes and messages of kindness we have received and understand that our tragedy has touched the lives of so many, including those outside our family and circle of friends.

"We wish to express our most sincere gratitude and thanks to our family, friends and the community for their gifts, their support and their love during this most testing of times."

They said they now needed time and space to get over the tragic accident.

"Time and space will help us to take the small steps that will enable us to move forward as a family. These small steps will, over time, allow us to focus on the knowledge and love of what we had, and not what we have lost."

An inquest into the deaths was opened and adjourned until a later date by local coroner Gordon Ryall at Stamford Town Hall today.