A MOTHER has been arrested on suspicion of murdering her 11-month-old baby.

The boy, named by neighbours as Bevin, died on New Year's Day at an address on George Stephenson Way, North Shields, North Tyneside.

The 30-year-old was seen by neighbours being carried out on a stretcher on at around 1pm.

Police initially described the mother as being in a 'poorly condition' in hospital.

It is believed they were a Nigerian family and had lived in the street for about a year.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "Inquiries into the death are ongoing."

How the baby boy came to die in the house remains a mystery.

The police spokeswoman added: "A post mortem has been completed and further tests are required to establish the exact cause of the baby's death."

The boy's mother was taken to hospital where she has remained since New Year's Day, while her home was cordoned off and police forensics officers searched for clues.

People living on the street said the flat was home to the baby, his mother and her partner, who is believed to be the boy's father.

But neighbours said they did not know the family very well .

One neighbour, a woman in her 50s who did not want to be named, said: "This is a very quiet street and a lovely area. I've lived here for 16 years so I was shocked when I heard that a baby had been taken to hospital, and saddened when I heard the baby had died."