A HEARTBROKEN mum this week described the last hours of her baby son's life.

Devastated Kirsty Seddon told an inquest in Blackburn she had given one-year-old Jack a bottle of milk before placing him in his cot, on the night he died.

Kirsty, a part-time shopworker lives with her partner Russell Redfearn, a construction worker on Marlborough Road, Accrington.

The inquest heard that Jack had eczema and had appeared to develop a cold following a car accident in February, but had otherwise enjoyed good health.

In a statement read by East Lancashire Coroner Michael Singleton, Miss Seddon said that on 16 October Jack had seemed distressed and she tried to calm him down.

When she returned from work that afternoon, Jack's cheeks were flushed and he seemed quiet.

Later that evening, she gave him a bottle of milk and put him to bed at around 8pm.

Jack was placed in his cot with a sheet and a sleeping bag, as the inquest heard the room could often get cold.

At 8.30pm Miss Seddon heard a noise but could not tell what it was.

However, in her statement she said she could hear the toys on Jack's cot playing a tune.

She went upstairs to check on her son at around 11.30pm, only to find he felt cold when she touched him.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where staff were unable to revive him.

The inquest also heard that fluid marks had been found on the quilt.

Miss Seddon said: "It smelled like vomit, but I am not sure what it was. When I pulled him out of the cot it didn't really hit me what had happened."

Dr Melanie Newbold, of Manchester Children's Hospital said she could find no evidence of any disease or other illness when carrying out the post-mortem examination.

Mr Singleton said he was unable to ascertain an exact cause of death and recorded an open verdict.

He told the couple: "I know there are no words to express the pain you have suffered and it is a great disappointment to me that I have been unable to answer the questions you would like answering.

"I feel that medical science has failed you.

"I have no doubt that in 15 or 20 years from now we will have a better understanding of why some children pass away suddenly."