THE parents of a longed-for baby girl have spoken of their heartache after she unexpectedly died at the age of just 22 weeks.

Ruby Whiteland was recovering at home from an operation on her oesophegas and was linked to a heart monitor - but this failed to sound when her heart stopped.

An inquest concluded that she died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, otherwise known as cot death.

Her parents David Whiteland and Sarah Copeland had been trained in resuscitation techniques and could have been able to revive her had they been alerted.

However, when police later tested the monitor it was working and its previous failure remains unexplained.

The inquest heard the operation was unrelated to Ruby's death and that police, the health visitor and hospital staff all praised her mother and father's parenting skills and devotion.

The couple, of Park End, Middlesbrough, said: “Ruby was our longed-for baby girl and we are devastated at losing her.

"She was the light of our lives and we’re grateful she was with us for a short time.

"We would like to thank everyone who did all they could to save her. She’ll be in our hearts for the rest of our lives.”

Detective Sergeant Clark Graham, who investigated Ruby's death, told the Middlesbrough inquest that  emergency services were called when Mr Whitehead and Miss Copeland woke in the morning to find Ruby  wasn't breathing.

Mr Whiteland tried to resuscitate her before she was rushed to James Cook University Hospital by ambulance where she was declared dead.

Questions were raised at the inquest as to why the monitor, supplied by James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, did not sound during the night of Ruby’s death on Monday, April 2, 2012 when her heart inexplicably stopped.

Deputy coroner for Teesside, Anthony Eastwood, recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

Afterwards, a spokeswoman for South Tees NHS Trust said: “Obviously this is very tragic for the family and we offer our condolences to them.

“We can confirm that although the machine was due for its annual check that month, it was working correctly and had been safety checked and approved for use.

Patient safety is our highest priority and we would not have given the parents the machine unless this was the case."