A 14-MONTH old baby is critically ill in hospital tonight following an incident at a Teesside flat.

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

When it arrived, the baby had stopped breathing and was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital where he was resuscitated.

He is currently 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 with their inquiries.

Today, 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 she did not know the couple, who are thought to be unmarried.

She said she was awoken in the early hours by a fracas. "I saw lights flashing and thought it was a fire engine but it must have been an ambulance or the police," she said.

"Then the police woke me up 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 to live on the estate and I've never seen any babies around so I don't think the woman lives here."

Ms Campbell said she was awoken the previous night by people shouting and throwing cans from above.

Updated : 17:45, Wed. 29th Aug.