A CHILLING message left on a Blackpool health visitor's answer machine has sparked an intensive investigation to check up on the safety of hundreds of young children and babies in the Marton area.

The highly distressed woman said: "I need to speak to Rebecca, he's killed the baby. It's on the floor. It's not breathing."

The desperate plea for help was left last Friday and picked up by Marton Medical Centre health visitor Rebecca Calvert on Monday.

Police say they cannot rule out a hoax but are taking the call very seriously and checking all of the 244 families with youngsters under five years of age in Rebecca's caseload.

They expect to have visited all the families by Thursday.

Det Sgt Dave Leadbetter, of Blackpool's child protection unit, who is leading the case, explained: "So far we have not been able to trace the caller and no baby has been taken to A and E the Victoria Hospital.

"We are doing other things alongside the house calls to try and trace the caller.

"It is an extremely worrying call, but we are all keeping an open mind and not jumping to any conclusions yet."

When asked why he thought the caller hadn't phoned back he said: "It could be any of a number of reasons.

"If the worst case scenario has occurred and a baby is dead she may be in shock or is too scared to come forward."

The police are making a plea to the woman to get in touch.

They also want to speak to anyone who thinks they may have some relevant information.

All calls should be made to Blackpool Police Station on 293933 -- where a health professional will be available to respond to the call.