A 14-MONTH old baby was critically ill in hospital last night following an incident at a flat.

An ambulance was sent to Hodges House, at Central Mews, Middlesbrough, at about 2am yesterday after the boy's parents reported he had fallen from the settee.

By the time it arrived, the boy had stopped breathing and was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital where he was resuscitated.

He is being treated for severe head injuries in the intensive care unit, where his condition is said to be critical.

Police are investigating the cause of the injuries, and the baby's parents, a 30-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, are helping the inquiry.

Yesterday, the block of flats, which is owned by the William Sutton Trust, was cordoned off as a forensic examination was carried out.

A police spokesman said: "There has been a full examination of the flat. Whenever there's any serious injury, particularly to children, it has to be fully investigated and that's why the property has to be sealed off and will remain so until all our investigations are complete."

Barbara Campbell, who lives in the flat below the scene of the incident, said: "The police woke me at about 4.40am and asked if I had seen or heard anything - but I hadn't. As far as I know, the man lives by himself. No young children are allowed on the estate and I've never seen any babies - so I don't think the woman lives here."

The housing complex is owned by the William Sutton Trust, a charitable organisation that allocates housing to people on low incomes.