TWO people were today being quizzed by detectives in connection with the death of an 11-month old girl from Nelson.

A woman and a man said to be in his 40s, who are not the child's parents, were arrested yesterday in connection with the incident.

Police were called to the house in Railway Street, Nelson, by paramedics about 11pm on Wednesday night where the child was found to have physical injuries.

The baby was taken to Burnley General Hospital. However, despite efforts of resuscitation at hospital, the youngster died.

The two adults, who were in the house with the child, were being interviewed by officers yesterday afternoon, police said.

It is believed that the child's family have been made aware of the death.

Detective Inspector Pete Broome said: "As a consequence of a telephone call from the ambulance service shortly after 11pm on Wednesday we were called to an address in Railway Street, Nelson.

"An 11-month-old baby was taken to Burnley General Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. As a result of initial inquiries at the scene two people are currently in custody at Burnley Police Station.

"They will be interviewed in relation to the circumstances leading to the death. It's too early to say what line the inquiry will take at this stage. The investigation is aimed at discovering the circumstances in which the child has met her death."

He added: "I have to stress that at this stage that it is unclear how the child met her death and that will not be resolved until the Post Mortem examination has been completed. It will be conducted in Manchester by a Home office pathologist.

"There could be a number of explanations for the child's physical injuries and as a consequence of that, I am maintaining an open mind as to exactly what happened. "

Neighbours in the busy street said they were shocked to learn of the incident.

One man, who asked not to be named, said: "I saw a couple of people go in to the house at about 8pm and then the police and ambulance arrived at about 11pm. I don't know what has gone on but I know a young family lived there."

Another woman said: "I heard a young child has died which is absolutely terrible, a real tragedy. I didn't really know the family because they kept themselves to themselves, like many people around here."