A TWO-year-old boy was taken to hospital after it is believed he swallowed a dangerous substance at his home.

Police are investigating how the youngster came into contact with the substance at the house in Glenluce Crescent, on Blackburn's Shadsworth estate.

The boy's mother accompanied him to hospital in an ambulance at 7pm on Thursday and has since been interviewed by police. Officers have searched her home but no arrests have been made.

The child was allowed home from hospital yesterday. The names of the child and his mother have not been released by police but residents on the estate said the house was occupied by Joanne Yates and her son Kyle.

One neighbour said: "We saw the mother and child being taken to hospital quite late on Thursday. A lot of questions have been asked as well.

"It is such a shame for the little lad. He is often playing with the other youngsters round here."

Police are awaiting the results of tests to determine exactly what the boy swallowed.

Detective Inspector Jim Elston of Blackburn CID said: "As a result of liaising with the Ambulance Service on Thursday evening the police are now conducting an investigation into the circumstances of admission of a two year-old-boy into Accident and Emergency.

"At this stage it is not clear exactly why the two-year-old fell ill. Tests are being carried out and the police are carrying out an investigation into the nature of the child's admission."

Det Insp Elston added: "We carried out a search with the co-operation of the mother."

Stephen Sloss, assistant director of social services at Blackburn with Darwen Council, sail: "The council would not comment on individual cases as we have to protect confidentiality. We would, however, expect the health service or police to notify us so that we could investigate."