A MURDER investigation has been launched following the death of a toddler.

Police were called to a house in Barnoldswick by ambulance staff who had responded to an emergency call to treat two-year-old Harrison Pratt.

A man and woman, both aged 24 from the town, were later arrested on suspicion of murder and child cruelty.

The two people arrested are the youngster’s parents, named locally as Sam Upton and Nathan Pratt.

Neighbours said Miss Upton and Mr Pratt come from Cowling and Bradford respectively.

Neighbours said the couple had lived in the house in St Mary’s Avenue, on the Coates estate, for around 15 months with their children Caleb, four and Harrison, two.

Both are unemployed, although residents on the estate said Mr Pratt had been looking for work for around a year.

Neighbours provided sanctuary for the family when Harrison’s body was found yesterday morning.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said Miss Upton told her she had found her little boy ‘blue’ in his bedroom.

The woman said she drove to Cowling to collect members of Miss Upton’s family, but the 24-year-old had been taken to Burnley police station by the time she returned.

Detective Superintendent Neil Hunter, who is leading the investigation, said: "The death is currently being treated as unexplained and two people have been arrested in connection with the death.

“We have been to the magistrates court and obtained a warrant of further detention of 32 hours for both detainees.

"This will allow us to conduct further interviews and give us an opportunity to progress the investigation.

"A post-mortem examination has been completed and we are currently awaiting the results to determine the cause of death."

It is understood the couple’s other son was last night being looked after by Miss Upton’s family.

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