A NINE-week-old twin baby girl died after sleeping in her parent's bed, an inquest heard.

But the child's father angrily denied that there was any possibility of "overlaying" --the accidental obstruction of the airways -- after the term was referred to by the paediatric pathologist who carried out a post-mortem examination.

Mum Angela McGill, of Grasmere Close, Accrington, was said to have taken baby Jessica Louise Sarah McGill-Martin into her bed on September 23 and played with her for a while.

She said: "I can't recall falling asleep but clearly I did."

As soon as she woke in the morning she realised something was wrong with Jessica who wasn't moving and had a small trickle of blood coming from her nose.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded an open verdict after Dr Gauri Batra, a registrar paediatric histopathologist, said the cause of death was unascertained.

She said it was well known there was an increased risk of what was known as sudden infant death syndrome where there was a history of sharing the bed with a parent although the cause of this increase was unknown.

Dr Batra said: "One theory is that these sleeping arrangements may contribute to accidental airways obstruction.

"There is nothing to suggest that in this case. I could find nothing to suggest this was the result of overlaying, as it has historically been called."

Jessica's father Phillip Martin said overlaying should not have been discussed.

Mr Martin said: "There is absolutely no possibility of overlaying and if there is no evidence of it then it shouldn't be brought up."

The inquest was told that Jessica was born 15 minutes before her sister Janet without any problems.

She and her sister had both thrived and had no serious health problems.

Miss McGill said that on September 23 her brother and his partner had come to visit their home.

She said the twins spent most of the evening in their Moses baskets in the living room until she put them to bed because she was concerned about people smoking.

About 2am the twins were brought down to be fed and Jessica was seen to first.

Miss McGill said she was breast-feeding but gave the girls formula milk because she had been drinking.

Shortly after she got both girls in bed Jessica woke up "as usual".

Miss McGill said: "As soon as everything was still and quiet Jessica would wake up. Sometimes she wanted to feed but others she just wanted a cuddle."

Miss McGill then fell asleep and found Jessica in the morning laying still with the trickle of blood on her face.