The family of a father and son who drowned in stormy seas on the Costa Brava has been offered condolences by Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Govan-born Manchester United manager said the club was shocked to hear of the deaths of Symon Howlett and his young son Jay.

The pair perished after a wave surged on to the sea front as Mr Howlett photographed five-year-old Jay and his brother Thomas, seven, at Tossa de Mar on Wednesday.

Mr Howlett, 32, from Market Drayton in Shropshire, dived in to save his two sons as they were swept into the sea.

He was able to save Thomas but died alongside Jay as he attempted to rescue him.

Sir Alex said the club's thoughts went out to Mr Howlett's wife, Deborah, and Thomas.

"Everyone at the club was shocked by the tragic deaths in Spain," he said.

"I know Jay was a big United fan and our thoughts go out to Deborah and Thomas for their terrible loss.

"To lose loved ones is always traumatic but Symon was just 32 and Jay five.

"We all hope they will be able to find strength at this awful time."

Both Jay and his brother played for Tiny Tigers, part of Market Drayton Tigers Junior Football Club, according to a neighbour of the family.

The boys had posed for a team photograph wearing Manchester United shirts.

Today, holidaymakers and locals left flowers on the rocks at Tossa de Mar close to the spot where father and son died.

One message of support read: "A tragic day - our thoughts are with you and the family at this sad time."

A collection has also been set up for the family at the Tossa Beach Hotel, where they have been staying since last Sunday and has raised 400 euros (£288).

One couple, who are staying at the hotel, said that the events had shocked everyone at the resort.

The couple, from Blackpool, who do not wish to be named, said: "We were on our way to Lloret de Mar for the day and we saw the ambulances by the beach. When we got back one of the other guests told us what happened.

"Someone thought it would be nice to do a collection for them and all entertainments at the hotel were cancelled for the night out of respect."

The couple added: "There's an eerie silence around the hotel now. People are getting really upset about what happened and it is very much on everyone's mind."

Witnesses have described how Mrs Howlett and Thomas comforted each other as they watches rescue services attempt to recover the two bodies.

Mr Howlett and Jay were spotted clinging to a buoy by rescuers in a helicopter, but they died before anyone could reach them.

The boys' grandmothers arrived at the Spanish resort yesterday afternoon to support the family.

A spokesman from the British Embassy said the family had left the hotel to visit the bodies in a mortuary in Gerona.

"The family have left Tossa Beach Hotel and have gone to Gerona to see the bodies of Symon and Jay," he said.

"They have no plans to return to the UK at this stage."

The embassy said no decision had been made about when the bodies would be repatriated.

The spokesman said: "The family are still very distressed and cannot think about anything else now."

She added: "As soon as we heard what had happened, consular staff from Barcelona went to the scene in Tossa de Mar immediately to meet the family. We have been with the family since then.

"The Spanish authorities have showed us that they have done everything they could to save the lives of Symon and Jay.

"We will be speaking to the family about repatriation and will be seeing what support we can provide for them."

In a statement released through West Mercia Police yesterday, Mr Howlett's family said: "We would like to thank everyone for their kind wishes at this very difficult time.

"Our focus now is on the welfare of Symon's wife Debbie and son Thomas and we will not be making any further comments at this stage."