A BABY girl has died at home despite desperate efforts to save her.

Amelia Jane Raines, aged just two weeks, was taken to the casualty department of the Royal Bolton Hospital after paramedics were called to a house in Leigh Road, Westhoughton.

Despite efforts to revive her, doctors pronounced her dead a short time later.

Hospital staff contacted police who launched an investigation.

An ambulance service spokesman said the baby was "unconscious and not breathing" when they were called to the house at 10.30am on Thursday.

It is believed that the baby's parents Natalie Raines and Michael Hope had dialled 999.

Amelia was born on December 30 and had yet to be Christened.

Mr Hope's father, Brian, aged 72, who lives next door, said: "She was the most beautiful, nicest baby that you could wish to see. She was just perfect -- lovely to look at. She didn't even live a month, and hadn't even been Christened. I had only seen her a few times."

Mr Hope said his son, who does coving work for a living, was "devastated" by the baby's death.

Michael's brother Geoff also lives in the same row of houses in Leigh Road, and he said that he had been saddened by the baby's death. He had not had a chance to see her.

A post mortem examination was conducted by a Home Office pathologist at the Royal Bolton Hospital yesterday afternoon. The result was inconclusive.

The coroner has been informed of the death although an inquest has not yet been opened.

The ambulance service spokesman said: "When the ambulance arrived the baby was in cardiac arrest. She was rushed into hospital but despite extensive attempts to revive her she was pronounced dead."

A police spokesman said inquiries were continuing.