Final round of this one. Agyarko has to bite down on the gumshield and give it his all. This is a real tight one, but I think Kelly is just edging it. Let us know what you think, fans. Low shot on the inside from Kelly but I do not think the referee saw that. Scrappy affair in the clinch here with just over a minute to go.

Agyarko is trying to give it his all, but I think Kelly is making it ugly. That said, the champion lands a nice uppercut. Double left hook from Kelly. Corking stuff from the Sunderland man. Right hand from Agyarko, great finish to the round from him. And that will do it. What a war.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty will be the headline act in tonight’s 100m breaststroke final but keep an eye on Filip Nowacki from Jersey, who could give him a run for his money. 

A double world junior champion, 18-year-old Nowacki has long been identified as Ramsay-Peaty’s successor. He finished just 0.33 seconds behind Ramsay-Peaty in yesterday’s semi-final after chasing hard on his second 50m split.

“I’ve definitely got a bit of a scrap in me,” said Nowacki, who is bidding to end Jersey’s 36-year medal drought at a Commonwealth Games. “To be racing one of the best in the world – arguably the greatest breaststroker of all time – is very special to me. I’m confident, my training’s been progressing really well.” 

Already a world junior 100m and 200m breaststroke champion, Nowacki has long looked up to Ramsay-Peaty. “He’s a true role model in the sport,” he said. “Even in the call room before, he’s just so professional and so zoned in. Being one of the youngsters coming through, it’s very important to look up to people like that. Those senior athletes know what they’re doing. They’ve been in that position many times before and I think it’s important to keep an eye on what he does.”

One of Hartlepool’s biggest festive family traditions, Cinderella, will light up the stage at the Town Hall Theatre from Thursday, December 10 to Sunday, December 27.

While it may be scary to think about Christmas already, the show is promising an unforgettable experience for all ages.

This year’s show will feature everything panto fans love – dazzling costumes, sensational songs, laugh-out-loud comedy, and stunning special effects, the theatre company says.

Jacqueline Turnbull, producer and writer at AJ Theatrical Productions, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing Cinderella to Hartlepool audiences this Christmas.

“With an incredible cast, spectacular production values and plenty of surprises in store, this year’s pantomime is set to be bigger, brighter and more magical than ever.

“Whether you’re a lifelong pantomime fan or making memories with your family for the very first time, Cinderella is the perfect festive treat.”

Returning to the stage are Hartlepool’s unforgettable dame Gary Martin Davis and Anthony Turner, who are teaming up as the wickedly funny Ugly Sisters.

Phil Reid is also back by popular demand as the lovable and hilarious Buttons, bringing his trademark comedy, warmth and hilarity to the stage.

This year marks the panto debut of Hartlepool’s own Hollie Boynton-Briggs as Cinderella.

High-energy troupe Ruff Diamond will again get the audience clapping, singing, and dancing along.

Councillor Rob Darby, chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Housing, Growth and Communities Committee, said: “Christmas in Hartlepool wouldn’t be complete without a family trip to the pantomime, and Cinderella is shaping up to be our most enchanting show yet.

“With a fantastic cast, stunning production values and plenty of festive fun, there really is something for everyone.

“We can’t wait to welcome audiences to the Town Hall Theatre and create some unforgettable Christmas memories.”

Tickets are expected to be in high demand, with thousands of families expected to attend the festive spectacular across the run, as they do each year.

Tickets start at £14 for children and £16 for adults, plus a £1.50 booking fee per ticket, which  are available from the Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre Box Office in Hartlepool Art Gallery in Church Square.

Booking fees are capped at £7.50 for five or more tickets purchased together.

Tickets can also be purchased online at creativehartlepool.com.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty kissed pregnant wife Holly as he missed out on his 33rd major gold medal as he finished in third place in the 100m breaststroke final at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday.

The 18-year-old from Jersey Filip Nowacki finished ahead of his idol in second, but gold went to Australian Sam Williamson. 

Williamson finished in 59.17 seconds, while Nowacki was milliseconds behind at 59.34 and Ramsay-Peaty behind him at 59.65.

His pregnant Holly couldn’t contain her smile as she arrived to watch husband Adam compete in the final.

The daughter of TV chef Gordon Ramsay, 26, looked excited as she took her seat in the crowd to watch her partner, 31. 

Holly showed off her blossoming baby bump in a simple black T-shirt and matching jumper as she showed her support to Adam, who debuted his new name Ramsay-Peaty on his cap at the games earlier this week. 

Adam finished in third place in the 100m breaststroke final at the Commonwealth Games 

His pregnant Holly Ramsay couldn’t contain her smile as she arrived to watch husband Adam compete in the final 

Styling her dark tresses loose, the star wore a radiant palette of makeup and accessorised with a simple cross necklace. 

Following the race, Holly was ever the proud wife as she packed on the PDA with Adam after the medal ceremony. 

The swimmer sweetly kissed his wife’s growing baby bump as they celebrated his third place win.  

Ahead of the Games, Holly announced last month she is expecting a baby girl with Adam, shared a snap to her Instagram Stories of Adam in his new ‘Ramsay-Peaty’ swimming cap and wrote: ‘So Special.’ 

During the heats on Friday, Adam won despite a 10-minute delay caused by a detached lane rope.

He posted the fastest qualifying time and advanced comfortably to the semifinals and then progressed through the semifinals to book his place in the final.

The three-time Olympic champion is taking part in his fourth Commonwealth Games having clinched his first medals as a 19-year-old in Glasgow in 2014.

Adam has described these Games as a ‘full circle moment’ as he looks to reignite his career. 

A silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024 helped him refocus after a difficult 2023 in which he withdrew from a series of events in order to focus on mental health concerns.

Holly looked so proud of her husband after the race

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Adam sweetly kissed Holly’s baby bump following the medal ceremony 

Holly showed off her blossoming baby bump in a simple black T-shirt and matching jumper as she showed her support to Adam

The couple packed on the PDA after the race 

Adam was seen getting ready for the final 

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His win in the 100m in 2014 began eight years of almost total dominance in the event. That streak came to an end in dramatic fashion in Birmingham four years ago when he trailed home in a shock fourth place in the event.

Adam told TNT Sports: ‘Job done, really. We’ve got a busy two weeks coming up, so we’re reserving energy where we can.

‘Last time I was here, I was very young. We barely had any world records to my name, or known world records to my name, so it’s been a very long journey.’

Ramsay-Peaty debuted his new name on his swimming cap at the Commonwealth Games as he hopes his new moniker will bring him luck.

The three-time Olympic swimming champion is using his full name for the first time to compete at a major championship after marrying TV chef Gordon Ramsay‘s daughter Holly last December.

Sadly his parents did not attend the wedding and are assumed to not be attending the Commonwealth Games amid a falling out. Adam remains estranged from them.

Earlier this month, the Daily Mail revealed that Adam’s pregnant sister Bethany – the only member of his family to still be in contact with the couple – has now sensationally fallen out with Holly. 

Not only are they no longer communicating, but this time it is Adam who is stuck in the middle, trying (and so far failing) to mend fences. Read the full story here. 

The roots of the family conflict go back to September 2024, when Adam and Holly snubbed wider members of the Peaty family by not inviting them to their engagement party.

The daughter of TV chef Gordon Ramsay, 26, looked excited as she took her seat in the crowd to watch her partner, 31

Styling her dark tresses loose, the star wore a radiant palette of makeup and accessorised with a simple cross necklace

The pregnant influencer was spotted staying hydrated in the crowd ahead of Adam competing in the final after he won his heat on Saturday

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Holly cheered on Adam from the crowd 

Holly was all smiles as she chatted with friends in the stands 

Adam debuted his new name Ramsay-Peaty on his swimming cap at the Commonwealth Games as he hopes his new moniker will bring him luck

Caroline, who spent years ferrying her son to early-morning training sessions, was also not invited to Holly’s glamorous hen do at Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds, even though the bride’s mother, Tana, and friends including Victoria, were at the extravagant bash.

Adam changing his name to Ramsay-Peaty and registering under the double-barrel surname for the Games in Glasgow is the latest blow for his estranged loved ones – especially as Ramsay is placed first before Peaty.

A source said previously: ‘Adam may be rich but we have something that he hasn’t and that is brains, loyalty, integrity and family.

‘Money makes for a cold bedfellow. It can’t hold you tight when things go wrong or when you have a bad day.’

They added: ‘When you live to be famous you aren’t living, you are playing a role. Fame is but fleeting but family is forever.’ 

Adam’s heat was temporarily halted as he was on the blocks when a lane divider broke off, requiring an official to strip to the waist and enter the pool to reconnect it.

The athlete duly wasted no time in recording the fastest time of the morning, 59.46 seconds, with only two rivals, Australia’s Sam Williamson and Filip Nowacki of Jersey, also finishing in under a minute.

The three-time Olympic champion is taking part in his fourth Commonwealth Games having clinched his first medals as a 19-year-old in Glasgow in 2014.

Adam has described these Games as a ‘full circle moment’ as he looks to reignite his career. 

The influencer announced last month she is expecting a baby girl with Adam

Sadly his parents, Caroline and Mark, did not attend the wedding and are assumed to not be attending the Commonwealth Games amid a falling out. Adam remains estranged from them

A silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024 helped him refocus after a difficult 2023 in which he withdrew from a series of events in order to focus on mental health concerns.

His win in the 100m in 2014 began eight years of almost total dominance in the event. That streak came to an end in dramatic fashion in Birmingham four years ago when he trailed home in a shock fourth place in the event.

The athlete, who is due to return for his semi-final on Friday evening, told TNT Sports: ‘Job done, really. We’ve got a busy two weeks coming up, so we’re reserving energy where we can.

 ‘Last time I was here, I was very young. We barely had any world records to my name, or known world records to my name, so it’s been a very long journey.’

Adam won his first of four Commonwealth titles in Glasgow 12 years ago and he is looking to add to that tally this weekend in a major staging post before the LA 2028 Olympics.

The crew launched on Saturday morning at the request of Coastguard

A father and son were rescued from an island on Strangford Lough after becoming stranded while paddleboarding.

The Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew launched at 10.50am on Saturday morning, July 25, at the request of Belfast Coastguard after they received information about the paddle-boarders being stranded on Salt Island.

The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Blue Peter V launched, with conditions at the time a force three gentle north-westerly breeze, partially cloudy with good visibility, and a moderately choppy sea state.

Once on scene, the casualties were located quickly and although cold and stranded due to the force five fresh inshore breeze, both were observed to be well.

After paddling to the lifeboat, both were taken onboard and transferred to the care of the Coastguard waiting at Killyleagh Yacht Club pontoon.

Speaking after the call out, Portaferry RNLI volunteer helm, Chris Adair, said: “It took us 15 minutes to travel to Salt Island from Portaferry station, however there was a significant change in the strength of the wind in that short time.

“Staying together and calling for help in this situation is always the correct thing to do.

“Before heading out onto the water, always check the weather and tide times for your location, on both your outward and return journey.

“Make sure you are wearing a lifejacket or suitable personal flotation device for your activity, and always carry a means of calling for help. If this is a mobile phone, ensure you have equipment to keep the phone fully charged.

“If you are in difficulty on the water, or see someone else in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

Once recovered to Portaferry boathouse, the shore crew washed and refuelled the lifeboat in preparation for the next call out.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

A grieving family have paid tribute to their “cherished” son and brother after he was killed in a crash in Huyton.

Ben Dooley, 23, was among four young men who died when a black Cupra collided with a lamppost on Liverpool Road, Merseyside, in the early hours of Friday (July 24). Police were alerted shortly before 2am and confirmed that all four occupants, aged in their twenties, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A fifth man, 27, survived the impact and was taken to hospital, where he remains in a stable condition. Mr Dooley’s sister said the sports psychology student, who loved football, padel and darts, was devoted to his family and friends and relished travelling and attending festivals, the Echo reports.

A dedicated gym-goer who took pride in his wellbeing, he was described as caring and someone who “lit up every room he was in”. In a deeply moving tribute, Ben’s mother Kerry said: “My son, my world, my best friend. It was me and you always. My life is ripped apart and I don’t know how I will do life without you. We did everything together.

“I’m waiting for you to walk through the door and say ‘you ok mum?’. You were the kindest person I knew with a heart of gold. Do anything for anyone. Loved by everyone who met you. I can’t describe how much I will miss you, it hurts so much. Fly high my baby boy. I love you.”

Ben’s sister Demi paid a heartfelt tribute, saying: “Ben my little brother, my one and only sibling, the one who always gave me advice and looked out for me, the most caring, kindest person in the world , my heart is broken.

“Feels like a terrible dream, I miss you so much already, the laughs we had and all the memories I will cherish forever. Love you my brother till we meet again.”

Ben’s friends Mikee and all the lads, Gannon, Butties, Browne, Duffy, Hayes, Toz, Platt, Swale, Smith, Bathgate, Rooke, Morley, Hampson, Mullally, Tyrer, Gormo, Macca, Shay, Soffe, honoured the man they called brother, writing: “To my other half, my best friend, I can’t understand how things like this can happen to the best people. They say God only takes the best and to me and many many others you are the best of the best.

“I’ve spent every day of my life with you and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done. You will always be my brother and nothing will ever change that. I love you beyond words can describe mate, you’re a once in a lifetime person. I was just so lucky for you to land in my life.

“I’d rely on you for absolutely everything you were there no matter what the problem is, I always knew you had my back and that’s a rare friendship to have I’ll never forget that you will live on with me and everyone who was lucky enough to have an encounter with you. Until we meet again brother you save me a seat right next you lad I love you to absolute bits Dooley.”

Demi described Ben as the heart of the family, which comprised Roy, nephew Frankie, nan and grandad, nan Lorraine, uncle Kev, Deana, Georgia, Lucas and younger brother and sister Shay and Chloe.

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By LUKE POWER, SPORTS REPORTER and CHARLOTTE DALY IN JEDDAH

Updated: 21:41 BST, 25 July 2026

Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog as Anthony Joshua faces Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in a bid to set up a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury.  

An emotional night for Joshua

Tonight is going to be a poignant one for Joshua.

For the first time since he lost his friends Latif Ayodele (centre) and Sina Ghami (right), he will step into the ring.

The floor of that ring bears the name of his former personal trainer and strength coach, and so do his shorts.

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Joshua says he now looks at life differently, but walking away from the sport he loves was never a consideration. This business, he says, is his therapy.

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A BRUTAL fight on the undercard

Sunderland-born boxer Josh Kelly has retained his IBF junior middleweight title against Caoimhin Agyarko by unanimous decision.

The judges scored the fight 114-113, 115-112 and 115-11 in his favour.

Let’s just say he took a battering despite his win.

‘I thank my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ,’ he began.

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‘That was a messy, hard fight.’

That’s putting it one way, Josh!

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How did Tyson Fury get on last night?

Fury held up his end of the bargain in a low-key event in Pattaya, Thailand, which is known for its Muay Thai contests.

He dominated and claimed a seventh-round TKO against heavy underdog Mariusz Wach, building his fitness.

It ws largely one-way traffic, with Fury taking his professional record to 36-2-1. Wach, feeling worse for wear after a punishing stint in the ring, signalled for the fight to end, and officialls mercifully ended it before the eighth round began.

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For Joshua and Fury, these fights are more a formality than a threat… but you never know what can happen.

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The goal for Joshua

Tonight isn’t just about keeping his name in the papers for Joshua, or even setting up that head-to-head with Fury.

He still dreams of sporting excellence. He envisions a future where he is back winning world titles – he lost his unified heavyweight belts to Usyk in 2021 – and wants to fight until he is 40.

AJ, 36, receently said: After I deal with Tyson Fury, on to world titles. I accept this will be a tough year and I’m coming up 37 in October but I feel have the strength in every aspect to keep fighting until I’m 40. Boxing’s what I do.

I’m back. Back to the place where I always find my purpose. Where I’m content.’

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Joshua: This is a must-win fight…otherwise the Fury bout is OFF

Joshua has made it clear that his dreams of a Fury clash will go up in flames if he fails to win tonight. It would be one of the most embarrassing results in recent boxing history.

That’s no disrespect to Prenga, who has a good record for his level. he has just never faced anyone of this calibre.

Joshua said in his pre-fight press conference: ‘Ultimately, the reality of the matter is there is no future unless I get past this checkpoint on Saturday night.

‘We’ve been working since January, working hard, aligning all my stars.

‘I understand there’s a big picture. The goal is to conquer the universe, right? But first we must conquer earth.’

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Good evening

Good evening all and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s live blog of Anthony Joshua’s comeback against Kristian Prenga!

At the end of last year, Joshua was involved in a car crash in Nigeria which killed two of his closest friends and left him hospitalised. Now he is just a win away from setting up a showdown with Tyson Fury, the bout that heavyweight boxing fans have wanted for years.

We’re expecting Joshua and Prenga to do their ring walks at around 11pm UK time, which will be 1am in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where the fight is taking place.

Stay with us for all the build-up, round-by-round action, and reaction – with updates from our ringside boxing expert Charlotte Daly.

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EXCLUSIVE: Alesha Dixon believes families should consider seeing dolphins in their natural environment, instead of buying expensive tickets to dolphin or whale shows

Alesha Dixon has urged families to shun dolphin and whale shows this summer, saying that children are being shown “what abuse looks like”.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge and Mis-Teeq singer is calling on holidaymakers to swap captive animal performances for wildlife-watching trips. And she has renewed calls for travel giant TUI to stop selling tickets to marine parks. As families head overseas for the school holidays, many will visit captive dolphin and whale attractions in holiday hotspots such as Tenerife and Portugal, despite growing concerns over the welfare of the marine mammals.

In the wild, bottlenose dolphins can swim around 63 miles a day, travelling vast distances in complex family groups. Yet more than 3,600 dolphins and whales are still kept in entertainment venues worldwide, confined to concrete tanks.

“I’ve had many experiences with dolphins in the wild and I always find it really difficult to articulate in words just how special that feeling is,” said Alesha, who has been a UK ambassador for World Animal Protection for more than 14 years.

“You see a pod of dolphins in the ocean and it reminds you what an incredible planet we live on and how we should protect these beautiful beings. There has always been this incredible connection between human beings and dolphins. They’re highly intelligent beings.”

The mum-of-two, who is preparing for a Mis-Teeq reunion in September at Wembley Arena to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the girl group’s album Lickin’ on Both Sides, said she is heartbroken by the thought of seeing such intelligent ­animals in captivity. She added: “When you see how many miles they swim every day and then think about them in these confined tanks where they must be losing their mind, it just saddens me.

“I know that a lot of parents out there want to find activities where it’s fun but also educational… I think the whale and dolphin shows are very misleading when they talk about conservation and education. All we’re doing is showing our children what abuse looks like. The best education our children can have is seeing animals in their natural habitat, free in the wild where they belong.”

Instead of buying tickets to shows, Alesha, 47, believes families should consider seeing dolphins in their natural environment. “Spend that money on a boat trip and have an even more magical experience,” she said.

She explained that eldest daughter Azura, 12, has already spotted dolphins in the wild during a trip to Jersey, and she planned to take her and younger daughter Anaya, six, on a trip in Italy this summer. The UK’s last dolphinarium closed in 1993. Experts say dolphins and whales can suffer severe stress in captivity, with some grinding down their teeth against tank walls.

Alesha added: “People think the animals are happy because they appear to be smiling, but that’s just the shape of a dolphin’s face. That is so misleading.” Companies including Booking.com, Expedia, Jet2Holidays, Virgin Holidays, easyJet Holidays, Airbnb and British Airways Holidays no longer sell tickets to captive dolphin entertainment.

Campaign group World Animal Protection is urging TUI to follow suit. ­Katheryn Wise, its UK wildlife campaigns manager, said: “Holidays should be about fun not about animal cruelty. It is time for TUI to do the right thing, stop selling tickets to these shows, and help make this the last generation of whales and dolphins kept in captivity.”

TUI was contacted for comment.

“Although being a firefighter and a pianist seem like two different worlds, they are both very rewarding and I feel incredibly lucky I get to do both”

A Ballyclare fightfighter is hoping to strike a chord with viewers as she takes to the keys in the hit show The Piano.

Janine Kinnear is set to appear on the popular Channel 4 series on Sunday, July 26 at 9pm as she performs a powerful rendition of Everglow by Coldplay.

On top of being a whole-time firefighter stationed in Glengormley and a mum-of-two, Janine is also a highly regarded wedding and event pianist who travels across the country to bring music to people’s special days.

Speaking to Belfast Live, she said it was a friend who pushed her to apply for the show and has not looked back since.

Janine said: “I’ve been playing the piano since I was eight years old and was classically trained through the Ulster College of Music, where I completed up to Grade 8.

“I now find myself much more drawn to playing covers of modern and contemporary music – I love finding songs people recognise but putting my own piano stamp on them.

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“I’ve always loved watching The Piano and listening to how it has impacted people’s lives. My friend Fiona actually encouraged me to apply, and I’m so glad she did.

“It’s something I would have never considered and really pushed me outside of my comfort zone.

“As a mum I’m always wanting to show my children that it’s important to take chances in life and have the courage to do things even if it feels daunting.”

Balancing life as a mum, firefighter and pianist “definitely takes a bit of planning”, she explained, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“My shift pattern is a two-day, two-night then four off, which actually works really well as this allows me to plan performances on my time off,” she added.

“Being a firefighter can be intense at times, so coming home and sitting down at the piano is my way of switching off after a long shift.

“Playing piano has always been a form of therapy to me over the years.

“Although being a firefighter and a pianist seem like two different worlds, they are both very rewarding and I feel incredibly lucky I get to do both.”

Janine said that getting to meet hosts Claudia Winkleman and singer Mika while filming her episode was a “pinch-me moment”.

She continued: “Having watched the programme for years and then be sitting at the piano chatting with Claudia was surreal. They were both so kind and made the whole experience more special.

“I hope people see just how much the piano means to me and the passion I have when I play, I always play from my heart.

“I perform the piece Everglow, by Coldplay, which holds a very personal and special meaning to me. If people watching can feel even a little of that through my performance, then I’ll be really happy.”

Watch Janine on The Piano at 9pm on Sunday, July 26 on Channel 4.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter.

Baby Arabella Mayer was just five days old when she suffered a sudden unexpected infant death in Abbey Hulton

A teenage mother has spoken of her nightmare after waking to find her newborn daughter lifeless in her arms.

Five‐day‐old Arabella Mayer stopped breathing in the early hours of June 17, 2025. Her parents, 18‐year‐old Lydia Pass and Ryan Mayer, had welcomed Arabella less than a week earlier, following her birth at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on 12 June.

The couple had returned to their home in Abbey Hulton shortly afterwards, settling into life with their first child. On the night of the tragedy, they went to bed around midnight after feeding Arabella and putting her down to sleep, reports Stoke on Trent Live.

At 3am, they were woken by her cries, tending to her needs before returning to bed once more. However, Lydia came round seated in a chair at 5.45am with Arabella lying motionless in her arms. The distressed young mother had no memory of lifting Arabella or drifting off again.

An inquest was told Lydia may have been experiencing anaemia-related fatigue after her harrowing three-day labour, during which she ‘lost pints of blood’.

Upon realising Arabella had ceased breathing, Lydia instantly sought assistance. Her brother dialled 999 and started administering CPR until ambulance crews turned up.

Medics succeeded in restoring Arabella’s pulse after she reached the Royal Stoke. Yet she had already been ‘clinically dead’ for approximately 50 minutes.

Dr Sukesh Mohta, a consultant at Royal Stoke’s paediatric intensive care unit, supervised Arabella’s treatment. He told the inquest: “The brain can only survive for around four or five minutes without oxygen. Anything longer than that is seriously concerning. Through CPR, we can try to maintain some kind of blood flow, but it’s nowhere near as effective as the heart pumping.

“Our first action was simply to prevent further injury. We employed neuro-protection. This involved placing her into an artificial coma to protect her brain. Then the hope is to take her off the support. But when we performed a brain scan the results were very poor.

“We had multiple difficult discussions with the family. It became clear that the situation was not survivable. The decision was made to withdraw life support on June 20.”

Paediatric Pathologist Marta Cohen suggested that Arabella may have suffered asphyxiation either as a result of an undiagnosed genetic condition or due to the position in which she fell asleep.

She said: “We don’t know why she collapsed. Sudden unexpected death happens in infants under one year of age. It is where death is unexplained. It is very rare in children who are only a few days old.”

Detective Inspector Adam Goodyer, of Staffordshire Police’s child protective services, dismissed any indication of neglect.

He said: “In my conclusion, it’s a very sad tragedy. Her exhausted mum had picked her up in the night to settle her and then fallen asleep with Arabella in her arms. There are no neglect issues here. She was very well cared for in a loving family. I extend my sincere condolences to them all.”

Coroner Lindsey Tonks recorded that Arabella suffered a delayed sudden death in the context of unsafe sleeping.

Ms Tonks concluded: “Here we have two parents and an extended family who had got everything ready for their newborn. They had set up a lovely home for her to return to after a particularly difficult labour and birth. There were no health concerns in those first five days.

“The birth had taken a lot out of Arabella’s mum. That and the challenge of being a new mum had left her exhausted. She awoke to find Arabella unresponsive in her arms with no idea how she came to be there. Her mum did everything she could. Her family did everything they could to give her the best chance at survival.

“There was no evidence of anything being done intentionally or any indication of neglect. The police were very clear on that. The medical team were also very clear on that. I hope that can reassure the mum. There is no suggestion that she has done anything wrong.

“It is clear that this was a mum who had done all she could to try to provide a loving home for her daughter. This was a terribly tragic situation that no parent would ever want to experience. All I can do is offer my most sincere condolences to the family. This is a situation nobody ever wants to face. This was just a terrible, terrible tragedy.”