A BLACKBURN moth-er found her 21-month-old daughter dead on the floor of her bed-room with a duvet draped over her, an inquest heard.

An inquest was told that extensive tests had failed to establish a cause for the death of Holli Chappell for what was commonly known as sudden infant death syndrome or cot death.

Coroner Michael Singleton apologised to Holli's parents, Kelly Roberts and Edmund Chappell, for the failure to answer the questions for which they had hoped to get answers.

"All the tests currently known to medical science have been carried out and we are still unable to provide a medical cause of death," said Mr Singleton.

"I have no doubt that in years to come experts will be amazed at our lack of knowledge.

"I am sorry we have failed you," said Mr Singleton. "You have come her today entitled to believe there would be answers which would enable you to go away with a better understanding of why this terrible thing happened."

The inquest heard that Kelly, Delphinium Way, Blackburn. and her partner had separated at the time of Holli's death and she was living with their two children at the home of Michael Tucker in Peronne Crescent, Blackburn.

They had only been living there for a week when, on Sunday September 3 she put Callum, who was 31 months old, and Holli to sleep in a double bed.

Miss Roberts went into the children to settle them down at 11 pm and they came into her room later on.

She got them settled about 3am but Callum started crying and she brought him into her bed leaving Holli on her own.

When Miss Roberts went in to Holli the next morning she found her lying on the floor with the duvet over the top half of her body.

Mr Tucker followed resuscitation instructions given over the phone by the ambulance service.

Holli was declared dead at hospital but Miss Roberts told the inquest she already knew.

Melanie Newbold, consultant paediatric at Manchester Children's hospital said that despite exhaustive tests and examinations she had been unable to find any cause of death.

She said there was no evidence of injury or asphyxiation or metabolic disease.

"What we have is a child who has died suddenly and unexpectedly which is often referred to as sudden infant death syndrome or cot death," said Dr Newbold.

"We have been unable to establish a cause of death but, unfortunately, this is by no means uncommon with babies and young people."

Dr Newbold confirmed there was no evidence to suggest that the couple's other child, or any children they may have in the future, would be at risk of a similar fate.