THE family of a one-year-old baby who died after collapsing at a house near Selby were today said to be "inconsolable".

Ben Stone was found in a "collapsed state" in the bedroom of a house in Brayton. Police said the mother's boyfriend and an ambulance crew tried to resuscitate him, but to no avail.

The baby was taken by ambulance to York District Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

An initial post-mortem examination failed to reveal a cause of death and further tests are now being carried out. It is understood that one theory being investigated is cot death.

Detective Sergeant Dave Pegg said: "Ben was found lying on a bed. It appears he went to sleep and never woke up."

The tragedy happened last Thursday - just a week after Ben's first birthday.

An inquest was opened at County Hall, Northallerton, by North Yorkshire deputy coroner Geoff Fell and adjourned pending the results of further medical tests.

A Selby police spokesman said he had spoken to Ben's mother, Tina, 21. He said the family was devastated and deeply upset.

He added: "It's all terribly sad. Ben was found in a collapsed state but despite all attempts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

The spokesman said it would be several weeks before they received the results of the further medical tests.

Police declined to give any further details about the address of the house in Brayton.

The funeral will be held at Pontefract Crematorium at 12.30pm tomorrow.

Updated: 11:11 Thursday, December 27, 2001