A BABY died on Christmas Day after it seemed to suffocate during its birth in hospital.

An inquest has been opened into the death of Damon Yates, whose mother lives in Lynwood Avenue, Darwen.

A short hearing at Coroner Michael Singleton's office in Richmond Terrace, Blackburn, heard Damon died at 2.34am on Christmas Day.

The inquest was told his mother, whose details were not revealed during the hearing, was taken to the town's Queen's Park Hospital for the birth. But the inquest heard there were complications during the delivery when Damon's shoulder became stuck.

Mr Singleton was informed that further tests would be required to discover the cause of death but preliminary findings pointed to asphyxia.

He adjourned the inquest for a full hearing at Blackburn Registry Office on April 28.

No one was available to comment at the family home in Lynwood Avenue. The mid-terraced house appeared quiet with the curtains drawn.

Darwen councillor Roy Davies, whose nine-year-old child died 10 years ago after a battle with leukaemia, experienced a similar heartache when his sister's baby died during birth 40 years ago. He said : "I don't know the family but I can empathise. It is something no one should have to go through.

"She has my sympathy. You just have to get through it the best you can but it stays with you for the rest of your life."

A spokesman for East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, which runs Queen's Park Hospital, was also unavailable for comment.