'We looked away for seconds and our little girl drowned', reveal heartbroken parents of dead toddler

A heartbroken couple told yesterday how their three-year-old daughter drowned in the swimming pool of a Spanish villa while they were distracted for barely a minute.

Roisin Fisher, described by her parents as their 'little star', fell into the pool while her father was clearing the dishes from a barbecue dinner and her mother was looking after her six brothers and sisters.

After realising she was missing, they made a frantic search of the property only to find Roisin under the water.

Her father Roy, 43, dived in to rescue her while another of the children rang the emergency services, but despite their best efforts they were unable to revive her.

Yesterday, the devastated couple, who have now flown back home to Eccles, Greater Manchester, paid tribute to Roisin and said there had been no warning that she had fallen into the 26ft by 13ft pool.

'She was a princess – she loved everything pink,' said her mother Karen, 41. 'She was a beautiful, lovely and loving little girl. She was full of joy and she just loved being around other people. She was loved by everyone.'

The family were on the fifth day of their holiday in the remote country house in Competa, about 35 miles inland from Malaga on the Costa del Sol.

The village has stunning views of the Mediterranean coast and is popular with British expats and holidaymakers.

They had been enjoying a barbecue last week when the tragedy happened as Mr Fisher, who runs a building company, was clearing away the dishes and was inside the rented villa for no more than a minute.

Mrs Fisher, who was looking after her seven-month-old baby on a sun-lounger on the patio while the children – the oldest of whom is 18 – played around her, said there was no splash or sound when Roisin fell in.

'It was a terrible accident – there was no sound at all and it happened in less than a minute,' she said.

Holiday: The toddler's family had been enjoying a break in Competa, Spain

A team of medics arrived by helicopter and spent almost two hours trying to revive Roisin.

'The paramedics tried endlessly to help her – they did everything they could,' her father said.

'We are all devastated,' added Mrs Fisher. 'The children are finding it really hard, but the rest of our family have been fantastic. They flew out that night to be with us and support us.

'We want to thank the paramedics for trying so hard to save Roisin and the Spanish police and airline staff and everyone else who have looked after us. We couldn't have asked for more.'

The mayor of the village, Jose Luis Torres, said: 'It was a tragic accident.'

Following the tragedy, the family moved to a hotel while police investigated Roisin's death.

Since arriving home, they have held a Mass for her which was attended by many friends and family.