A DOCTOR sacked after a five-month-old baby died during a routine operation will practice again following an inquest into the child's death.

And today the family of Ejaz Ahmed, who now live in Church, said they held no grudges against consultant anaesthetist Dr Mark Baxendall and were looking to the future with their new baby, eight-week old baby Ayaz.

Imran and Razia Sultana's first-born son never came round after undergoing surgery at Booth Hospital in November, 1999, to correct a hair lip and cleft palate.

During a two-day inquest Dr Baxendall came in for criticism from another doctor who said he would have handled the child's care differently.

But after examining evidence Manchester coroner Leonard Gorodkin said the death was not because of Dr Baxendall's actions and the criticisms were a difference in medical opinion and procedure.

Mrs Sultana, 22, of Maden Street, said: "We are happy with the coroner's verdict as they have experience and know what they are talking about.

"We are happy that the anaesthetist will practise again as we know now that what happened with Ejaz could not have been prevented.

"He should be back in his job and we accept that.

"We felt really angry at the time though because we had tried so hard with him and as parents you do everything and think problems could have been prevented easily and have difficulty in accepting that that is not always the case. He had heart surgery six weeks before the routine operation and that was successful so we found it difficult to accept that this could happen during a simple procedure.

"We could not have gone through the inquest without our new son and he is helping us to move on now. But I cannot trust anyone again and worry about him whenever we get an appointment for the hospital. I just cannot help but worry as there is no trust left."

The couple lived in Lower Antley Street, Accrington, at the time of baby Ejaz's death but moved to Pakistan after 12 months to get away and stay with relatives while grieving.

Soon after returning they moved to Church and now own and run Church Newsagents.

Mrs Sultana said: "The people around here have all been like family to us and have been a big support. It is still difficult but we have Ayaz -- who is a perfect a happy little baby -- to hug and give our affection to now. And as soon as he is old enough we will tell him about his big brother."

The coroner returned a verdict of death by misadventure and said Dr Baxendall's methods could not be shown to have caused Ejaz's death.

Pathologist Anna Kelsey said he had died after excessive pressure caused his lungs to burst leaving his brain starved of air. It was uncertain though as to what caused the tot's lungs to puncture and there was a suggestion it may have been triggered by forcing too much air into him in a bid to maintain flagging oxygen levels. This could have been as a result of the earlier heart surgery leaving his lungs fragile.

Dr Baxendall was dismissed by the Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust last September.

The General Medical Council is now carrying out its own investigation and has ruled Dr Baxendall should be allowed to practise again under strict supervision.