SOCIAL services bosses have insisted today they would talk to the neighbours of little James Moxham, who died in a house fire nearly a month ago, when the time was right.

Their investigation into the four-year-old's death started a week after the fire at the family home in Holly Close, Sarisbury Green, on September 2.

James, who was due to start at Sarisbury Infant School, died in the blaze which broke out in the front ground-floor bedroom.

His mum Lisa Nolan, 23, father Andrew Moxham, 36 and brother Jake, 3, survived the fire.

Neighbours living in the small cul-de-sac are still concerned they have not been contacted about the family of James, who had been known to Social Services for several years.

Pat Avery, 68, said: "A lot of people have been very concerned. A lot of neighbours have quite a lot to say."

Resident Carol Skinner added: "The investigation seems to be taking quite a while."

Hampshire County Council's assistant director for children and families Steve Love said relevant neighbours would be contacted in due course at an appropriate time.

"It is not even a month since James died. We are dealing with a bereaved family and we have to carry out the investigation in a sensitive way," he said.

"Until we get a clear handle on the circumstances of the fire and the police have completed their investigation it would not be appropriate to speak to neighbours."

He said he did not view the investigation as being slow but one that was being carried out at a pace that was sensitive to the Moxham family's circumstances.

It is believed James' parents are living with friends in Bellfield, Titchfield, with Jake who was discharged from Salisbury Hospital after treatment for burns.