A British three-year-old boy has died after falling into a swimming pool at a holiday home where he was staying with his parents near the Costa del Sol.

The alarm was raised around 8.30am this morning at a rural property in the village of Periana, La Axarquia, north-east of Malaga.

Police and paramedics raced to the rural home, and a helicopter was also mobilised as part of the emergency response.

But there was nothing they could do to save the youngster's life, and he was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation has been launched by the Civil Guard, but well-placed sources said there was nothing at this stage pointing to any criminality.

One said: 'Investigators are still awaiting the results of the post-mortem, but it appears to be a tragic accident.'

Periana Council said in a statement and direct message to the boy's parents: 'Today is a deeply sad day for our town.

'On behalf of Periana Town Council, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the child who has passed away.

'There are no words that can ease such immense grief, but we do wish to convey to you all our love, support and solidarity at this very difficult time.

'The whole of Periana shares your sadness and stands with you in your grief at such a painful and unjust loss.

Mayoress Meritxell Vizueta said she had gone to the property with a councillor to comfort the family.

Local reports said the young boy was the only child of the holiday couple left devastated by the painful loss. 

One said the British family had only arrived at the farmhouse yesterday.

A spokesman for a regional government-run emergency response coordination centre said: 'A three-year-old child has died this morning after falling into a swimming pool at a farmhouse in Periana, in the province of Malaga.

'At 8.30am we received a distress call reporting that a child had fallen into the pool.

'The 061 Health Emergency Centre (CES) was quickly alerted and dispatched a medical helicopter, the Civil Guard and the Local Police.

'Despite the efforts of the emergency services, nothing could be done to save the child's life. The circumstances surrounding the incident are unknown.'

The Civil Guard, the police force investigating the incident, could not be reached at lunchtime in Spain today for comment and to confirm where the youngster was from.

Initial findings suggest an accidental death, although the results of a post-mortem examination will officially determine the cause of death.

The child’s body is set to be transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Malaga city.

Tragically, this is the third drowning death in Malaga in just one week. 

The previous case occurred on June 12, in what was a double tragedy on the Malaga coast. 

Two elderly people were found dead on a beach in Torrox. The man was 80 years old, and the woman was 75.