A COUNCILLOR is calling for a public inquiry following the tragic death of baby Emma Jade Dyson who was thrown into the canal by her mentally ill mum.

The death of the four-month-old baby was the third child tragedy in Burnley in four years.

Coun Andrew Holder, a member of the Lancashire Socialist Alliance, has put a formal notion of motion to next Wednesday's meeting of Burnley Council asking members to express concern at the apparent failure in liaison in the exchange of information between the various agencies responsible for the protection of children.

He is also asking for a public inquiry into inter-agency working in view of the number of tragedies involving children in the borough. He said: "First we had the sad case of Levi Rose, then Jack Shackleton and now this unfortunate little girl."

Coun Holder, a father and house husband, said: "I am raising the issue because I am concerned about what is going on."

He added: "Emma Jade's mother has been sent to a secure hospital mental unit because of her condition. "I don't blame her because she is mentally ill. What we need to know is whether she was receiving the appropriate help after she was discharged from hospital until the time of the tragedy."

Rabina Hashim of Clare Street, Burnley, was a patient in a psychiatric ward at Rossendale General Hospital until being allowed home just weeks before the fatal day, March 14, when she put the baby into the canal and then told police she had been taken from outside toilets in the town centre. Burnley MP Peter Pike said he intended to ask serious questions of social services as to how the tragedy was allowed to happen.

Coun Frank Clifford, chairman of the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Community Health Council has also expressed great concern and warned the due to under-funding in the mental health services other tragedies are waiting to happen.

Lancashire County Council Social Services are carrying out a review of the circumstances leading up to the death of baby Emma Jade Dyson.

A spokesman said that the review was continuing but couldn't say when it would be concluded.

The results of the case review by the Lancashire Area Child Protection Committee will be made public.

In 1996 five-month-old Levi Rose was killed by his parents in Cronkshaw Road, Burnley, Christopher Rose and Kelly Catlow.

In 1999 Glenn Shackleton was jailed after admitting the manslaughter of his 16-month-old son Jack in Abel Street, Burnley.