THE family of a Gwent toddler, who was killed when a wall collapsed at a barbecue, are "distraught" by the tragedy, shocked neighbours say.

Connor Morgan, aged 16 months, was at his grandparents' home in Cefn Fforest Avenue, Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, when a three ft high brick wall collapsed.

It is thought the tot - who lived with his parents in Cefn Fforest Avenue - had been lifted over the wall to get a ball when tragedy happened at about 6.30pm on Thursday.

He was taken to the Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, but it was too late to save him.

Police and health and safety investigators worked through the night to establish why the wall collapsed, and investigations are continuing.

Last night, neighbours said the grandparents, Andrew and Anne Morgan, were "inconsolable" and "distraught" by the death of their youngest grandchild.

Neighbour Doreen Hamer, 76, worked with Andrew Morgan at Sterling plastics in Upper Bargoed before she retired.

She said: "It really is so upsetting - in a way I think it must be worse because the parents weren't there and that is such a responsibility. They're really decent people who just got on with things. I feel awful for them."

Next door neighbour Roger Oaten said: "They really loved that kid. You could hear them playing and making a fuss of him all the time. It's really tragic. I saw Andy earlier he just sat slumped on the doorstep he looked totally devastated and was inconsolable. They are just distraught."

Questions are now being asked of Caerphilly council, who own the house.

A council spokesman said that they were continuing to co-operate with the Health and Safety Executive, but no decision had yet been made about whether the council was responsible for the wall.

He added: "We would like to reiterate our sympathies to the family of the child."

A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "The HSE will be investigating until we find out who is in charge of the wall."