The boy was found in the Ogmore River near Pandy Park, in the Sarn area of Bridgend, on Saturday. A spokeswoman said: “South Wales Police can confirm that following reports of concerns for a missing five-year-old boy in Sarn, Bridgend, and the subsequent finding of the body in the Ogmore River near Pandy Park, three people have been arrested.

       “A 39-year-old male, a 30-year-old female and a 13-year-old male, all from the Bridgend area, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently in police custody. We are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident.”

       Dozens of officers including forensics teams and police divers have been scouring the playing field and paths leading from the boy’s home to the River Ogmore, less than a quarter of a mile away.

       The boy was rushed to Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend where it was confirmed he had died.

       The youngster was reported missing at around 5.45am. One neighbour said: “I could hear the mum screaming for her son. She was shouting ‘the back door was open’ and calling for him.”

       Detectives previously said they were “keeping an open mind” over how the boy – who has not yet been named – died.