THE father of tragic baby Emma Jane Dyson searched the town centre for his daughter before her lifeless body was found in the canal.

Steven Dyson's wife Hashim called him at about 9.20am and said someone had takne Emma from the toilets in Burnley town centre.

He told her to call the police and headed straight home before going to search for his baby himself.

Mr Dyson also described how his partner had suffered from post natal depression since Emma's birth and had been receiving medical treatment.

He told the inquest into his daughter's death: "I made a search of the town centre for Emma but without success. She was found ultimately and I was later told she had been taken from the canal."

Later that evening, Mr Dyson identified his baby's body to police at Burnley General Hospital.

At the time of the tragedy Burnley MP Peter Pike vowed to take up the case as a matter of urgency and revealed that the family were "known" to social services. Emma's tragic death left neighbours in shock in the close-knit Accrington Road area.

She was described as a "beautfiul child" by the shopkeeper who was one of the last people to see her mother before she reported Emma missing. Rabina Hashim called into Salmat Shaddique's newsagents and grocery store on Dean Street, Burnley, just before 9am on the morning of Emma's disappearance.

Mrs Shaddique said she bought ten cigarettes but did not say hello or goodbye and did not seem her usual bubbly self -- and Emma was not with her.

Just hours later police divers pulled Emma's body from the Leeds Liverpool canal at Gannow Top and her mother was being questioned by police about her death.

As news of the tragedy spread many neighbours and friends gathered at the side of the canal to lay floral tributes, teddy bears, and messages.

A note attached to a toy panda read: "A gem of innocence amongst so many, thoughts (from someone) who didn't even know you."

Other messages read: "Waste of life. May the angels look after you" and "Gentler Jesus up above, give Emma a great big hug."

Gill Rigg, chairman of Lancashire Area Child Protection Committee, said: "The circumstances surrounding Emma's death are very tragic and we extend our sympathy to her family.

"Lancashire Area Child Protection Committee has undertaken a thorough review of this case in accordance with guidelines issued to all area child protection committees.

"This review is nearing its conclusion and if any actions are identified as a result of this, they will be put into place."

The area child protection committee is made up of senior managers from all the key agencies involved in child protection.