Two arrested as baby dies

Staff at Southend Hospital tried to save the baby

Two people have been arrested in Essex following the death of a 18-month-old baby.

Police were called to Southend General Hospital on Saturday night as staff tried to save the baby's life.

The boy was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

A 20-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man, from the Rayleigh area, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The couple have not been named.

Medical staff tried to save the baby but he died a short while after admission.

An Essex Police spokesman said were officers were trying to establish how the baby died.

"We would like to speak to members of the public who may have seen a man and a woman appearing to administer first aid to a baby outside a parade of shops in London Road, Hadleigh earlier on Saturday evening," he said.

Specially-trained liaison officers are working with the family of the baby boy.