A BABY boy died in a tragic freak accident after falling from his mother's hands after she fell asleep nursing him.

Jacob Tonge, aged six weeks, died after he slipped from her grasp and fell, banging his head on his baby car seat on the floor alongside the settee.

And today as his grieving family was struggling to come to terms with baby Jacob's death his heartbroken mother Katie Eccles said: "He made my family complete and now he is gone. He was only here for a short time but we will never forget him."

Miss Eccles, aged 20, told how she woke to discover Jacob had fallen from her arms on to the floor. He had stopped breathing.

She desperately tried to revive Jacob with her partner Matthew Tonge, aged 21, while they waited for an ambulance to arrive.

Paramedics also battled to revive the baby but he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Miss Eccles, of Cameron Street, Astley Bridge, who also has a 23-month-old son Daniel, today said baby Jacob was a "shining star".

The couple and their families are devastated by the freak accident which they believe could have happened to anyone.

Fighting back tears, she said: "He made my family complete and now he is gone. He was only here for a short time but we will never forget him."

Jacob was born on December 12 at the Royal Bolton Hospital and weighted 7lb 13oz. His mother had a trouble-free pregnancy and the couple were delighted Daniel had a baby brother.

Jacob had been fitted with a full length plaster cast on his left leg as he was undergoing treatment for Talipes, a club foot condition.

He had been restless on Sunday night so his mother brought him downstairs to try to settle him again.

As usual, she carried Jacob down the stairs in his car seat because the steps are very steep.

As she was nursing him on the settee, Miss Eccles fell asleep.

She woke up shortly before 8.30am and discovered what had happened.

Miss Eccles said: "Jacob had just started smiling. He was always smiling at us. He was always cooing -- it was like he was constantly talking to us. He loved watching Daniel running around and playing. His older brother used to like tucking him in at night and was always giving him kisses."

She added: "Monday was Matthew and my third anniversary together.

"We just can't believe what has happened."

Jacob's grandmother Chris Eccles, aged 49, who works at Bolton Community College, said: "It is a tragic accident.

"Katie is a wonderful mother and is absolutely distraught about what has happened."

A post mortem examination has been carried out on Jacob but the results are not yet known.

The family are hoping to organise the funeral next week after the coroner has opened an inquest.

"Jacob and Daniel had spent Sunday with my husband Steve and I so Katie and Matthew could catch up with some friends.

"He was an adorable little boy. He looked just like Daniel but had dark hair. Jacob was quite aware for his age and was always looking around.

"Daniel doesn't really understand what is going on but he keeps twirling Katie's hair around his finger."

Mrs Eccles, who also has three sons, Philip and Jonathan aged 23 and nine-year-old Will, added: "We have been inundated with messages from well wishers and it has been a great support.

"It is a shame not everyone is so thoughtful.

"When Katie rang in a terrible state from the hospital, I drove there straight away. It took me ages to find a parking space and another motorist just pipped me to it. I told him my grandson had been brought in because he had stopped breathing and asked him if I could have the space but he said 'We've all got our troubles love' and walked off. He was so heartless."