Police investigate 10-month-old's death at nursery

London: Police today launched an investigation into the death of a 10-month-old girl who choked on a piece of apple at a nursery.

The baby was taken to a hospital from a nursery where staff were accused of child cruelty two years ago.

Paramedics were called to the Just Learning Centre in Cambourne near Cambridge at 9.45 am yesterday after the baby stopped breathing.

She was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital but could not be revived.

A police spokeswoman said a post-mortem examination would take place later this afternoon. She added: "Initial inquiries point to the possibility that she may have choked on a piece of food.

"We have launched an investigation to establish the cause of the baby's death."

The nursery was closed immediately and is expected to remain shut until the investigation has been carried out.

Less than two years ago three staff at the centre were charged with child cruelty after a 15-month-old girl broke her arm.

Charges against manager Patricia McDonald, 52, deputy manager Carla Woods, 26, and nurse Jody Sandever, 24, were later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service because there was insufficient evidence.

In March last year Ofsted advised the nursery, part of a chain whose managing director is Tory MP Michael Fallon, not to reinstate them. They were suspended following the incident in October 2004.

A nursery spokeswoman said today: "We deeply regret this tragedy and all our thoughts are with the parents. A full investigation is taking place."

Ofsted said that Just Learning had had its licence suspended while the investigation was under way.

"The police will take the lead role in this investigation," a spokeswoman said.