A COUPLE'S baby joy has turned to heartbreak following the shock death of one of their triplets at just 10 weeks old.

Tiny Joshua Whittaker, who was born in January along with his brother Benjamin and sister Ella, died in hospital after he had suddenly stopped breathing at the family's home in Barnard Close, Oswaldtwistle.

Devastated dad Phil tried in vain to give him the kiss of life.

Speaking exclusively to the Observer before the ordeal of Wednesday's funeral, he said: "He was an absolute joy, a very lively baby.

"His brother and sister would scream for their bottles but he would wait and take his time. They are both missing him."

The triplets were born by caesarean section seven weeks early at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn.

Mum Lindsey, who had been having fertility treatment for four years, was told during her pregnancy that Joshua had a heart problem and surgeons were on hand at the birth in case they needed to operate.

But he appeared to be healthy, although at 3lb 4oz he was the lightest of the trio.

Phil, a station officer at Hyndburn Community Fire Station, explained: "We found out on the 20-week scan that a valve in his heart hadn't formed properly and the left-hand side was doing all the work.

"The doctors said he would need three operations by the time he was five if he was to stand any chance.

"We had been taking him to Alder Hey Children's Hospital and, because he was doing so well, they said they were looking at doing the first operation when he was eight-to-12-months-old."

Phil and Lindsey were out shopping in Accrington town centre when they noticed he was having difficulty.

Phil said: "We had been for a little look into town and Joshua started letting out a weak cry.

"His lungs were working just enough for him to breathe."

After returning home, Phil noticed Joshua had stopped breathing so he gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in a bid to revive him. Paramedics were called to the house and rushed the tot to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where he died.

Phil, 36, said: "We had the other two babies checked out as we didn't know what had brought his death on so quickly.

"It could have been a virus, but they were both perfectly fine.

"Lindsey is absolutely gutted. She is just focusing on our other four children now.

"All our family and friends have been absolutely fantastic.

"Our other daughters Lauren and Sophie loved Joshua to bits and they have been towers of strength."

Lauren, 11, and Sophie, eight, are both pupils of St Mary's Primary School, Oswaldtwistle.

Phil added: "We have been flattered by everyone's sympathy and the messages in their cards. They are absolutely beautiful, they just set us off weeping."

A Mass of Angels was conducted by Father Patrick Bourke at St Mary's Church, Oswaldtwistle, on Wednesday to celebrate Joshua's short life, followed by burial in the infant memorial garden in Accrington Cemetery.

The family are asking for donations to be made to the neo-natal unit at Queen's Park Hospital, c/o Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.