A MOTHER faces giving evidence for a second time when the inquest into the death of her three-month-old son resumes today.

Donna Hanson, of Church Street, Accrington, spent two tearful hours answering questions about son Toby Woods' death last Monday.

The child died on September 28, 1998, at Blackburn Royal Infirmary after he stopped breathing while at home in Pendle Street, Accrington.

He had spent several weeks in hospital and medical staff became suspicious Miss Hanson may have been harming him.

She was arrested after his death on suspicion of murdering Toby and his elder brother Ashley, who died in December 1998 aged 10 months.

It was only last year Miss Hanson was told she would face no charges for the deaths, a decision which enabled Toby's inquest to take place.

Last week, in front a jury, it was revealed that nurses had failed to flag up witnessing some of seizures Toby's mum said he was suffering, prompting suspicion that he was being abused.

They also heard that Toby had suffered chronic retching, which led to acid leaving the stomach, landing in the oesophagus, causing the vocal chords to close. This could stop babies from breathing.

Coroner Michael Singleton told the jury on Friday afternoon he planned to recall Miss Hanson to answer questions which have come to light as a result of evidence given over the week.

Toby's father, Robert Woods, is also due to give evidence along with other relatives from both the maternal and paternal families. Statements read out on Friday revealed that alcohol was found to be present in samples of blood taken from Toby's body. However, experts ruled out that he had been administered alcohol, saying its presence could be down to the samples not being stored properly.

No sign of any drug, illegal or prescription, was found, the inquest heard.

The inquest also heard that Toby was first admitted to hospital the day after he had been given a set of immunisation jabs, on August 11.

Doctors were unable to rule out the possibility of the jabs causing his initial seizures, but said it would have been 'unlikely' to trigger a reaction which lasted several weeks, as happened to Toby.

(Proceeding)