A CORONER has decided that there is a need to hold an inquest into the death of a 12-day-old baby.

A further pre-inquest review was held yesterday into the death of Thea Rose Higham-Deakin who was born at the Royal Bolton Hospital on June 24, 2015.

Assistant coroner John Pollard, who held the review at Bolton Coroner’s Court, said: “Having reviewed the expert report into the death, I think there are issues that are requiring an inquest to take place.”

The hearing was attended by the parents of Thea Rose, Craig Deakin and Karen Higham-Deakin, who revealed they are expecting another child at Easter.

Announcing a two-day inquest on August 2 and 3, Mr Pollard added: “I hope all goes well and I will see you in August when you can tell me all about it.”

Following their daughter’s death, Thea Rose’s family have raised funds in her memory.

On their JustGiving page the couple explain how she was born at 12.31am weighing 8lb 8oz with “a head full of chocolate brown hair” but say she suffered “severe brain damage during delivery and sadly died in our arms”.

They add: “Those 12 days were so special to us, we got to cuddle her and kiss her, tell her how much we loved her, hold her hand and tell her stories, but sadly it will never be enough.”

The family contacted SANDs, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, which comforted them following her death.

They have gone on to raise more than £2,395 for the charity in their daughter’s memory, with Mr Deakin taking part in running events last year including the Oulton Park Half Marathon, Manchester Marathon and Wilmslow Triathlon.