A BABY choked to death on a single chip taken from his mother's supper plate, an inquest heard.

An inquest heard that Zoheb Hussain (pictured) was just 10 days past his first birthday when tragedy struck at the family home in Corwen Close, Blackburn.

He died despite the fact that his father was in the room and took immediate action to try and save his son, prompting the coroner to warn that parents should watch their young children "like hawks."

Mazhar Hussain spoke through an interpreter as he told the inquest of the last few minutes of Zoheb's life.

The infant was wide awake and playing in the living room at 10.45pm. His mother, Zahida, made herself some chips and had given small pieces of them to Zoheb. Mr Hussain asked her to make him some chips and she left her plate on the coffee table before going into the kitchen. Mr Hussain said his son put one chip in his mouth but that fell out. He then took another and seemed to be chewing it until he started to choke.

Mr Hussain put the child over his knee and rubbed and patted his back, at the same time shouting for his wife. When she returned he gave the child to her and ran to a neighbour's house to raise the alarm.

By the time neighbours arrived Zoheb was unconscious and did not recover consciousness before a life support machine was switched off the following day.

Home Office pathologist John Rutherford said Zoheb had choked on a chip causing stoppage of breathing and heart activity.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, deputy coroner Carolyn Singleton said it was an extremely sad case which highlighted the need for parents to be ever vigilant.

"Children need to be continually watched, especially those of Zoheb's age who have an inquisitive nature and a desire to explore the world around them," said Mrs Singleton. "Young children love to put things in their mouth, it is one of the ways very small children learn about the world they live in. But this case must serve as a salutary lesson to all parents of young children.

"It is a reminder to us all to watch our children like hawks because they can so easily court disaster in the most innocent of ways," she added.