Charlie-Bob Townsend died mysteriously before the blaze began at his home in Long Ashton, North Somerset, on Thursday.

Police found his 51-year-old father, drama set designer Christopher Townsend hanged in an adjacent garage.

A post-mortem examination carried out on Friday revealed that the boy had died before the fire started. The cause of his death is not yet known, and police teams are beginning new searches in the hope of uncovering clues.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokeswoman said on Saturday: "Over the weekend there are going to be more searches of the house, although the forensic examination is drawing to a close.

"We do not have a formal cause of death for Charlie-Bob Townsend and we are appealing for anyone with information to come forward."

A shrine laid in the reception of Northleaze Primary School on Friday features simple tributes from his Year 2 friends.

Messages written on a white board read: "Charlie-Bob was nice" and "I love you Charlie."

Pupils have also left flowers, models and cards.

Headteacher John Joliffe said: "Charlie-Bob was a happy boy who loved coming to school and had lots of friends. He was much loved by his classmates and the whole school community."