Prayers have been shared following the deaths of three young boys who fell through ice in Solihull. 

A Catholic priest from Solihull says his prayers are with the families of the children.

The boys, aged 11, 10 and 8 were rescued and taken to hospital, but have sadly died.

Police on the scene have described trying to punch through the ice in their effort to reach the children.

Another six year old boy is in critical condition in hospital.

Father Dominic Kavanagh, from St Augustine's Catholic Church, in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, said: "It's such sadness for the families and for all are involved with the families and the children.

"Sad to hear the death of the three of them.

"I suppose I have always tried to be there, it is not just what one says, it's just your very presence that can be a support and so it is just really a that question of empathy.

"One of these things would be that these school communities would very much keep the children and their families in their prayers and I know that they would want to very much support the family with their prayers and support the children that are very upset by this news."