AN 18-month old toddler was fighting for her life in hospital last night after swallowing cannabis at a North-East home.

Police said two people had been arrested following the incident, in Harwich Grove, Hartlepool, on Wednesday.

The child is in the intensive care unit at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where her condition is described as "seriously ill".

She was rushed from the house to hospital in Hartlepool after she was found on Wednesday afternoon.

Doctors took the decision to transfer her to The James Cook hospital,after assessing her condition.

They believe she swallowed a quantity of cannabis.

A 24-year-old man and a 23- year-old woman were arrested by Cleveland Police yesterday in connection with the incident.

Police officers were called to the house, in the Seaton Lane area of the town, at 5.30pm on Wednesday. The house was sealed off.

The property was under police guard through the night and officers remained at the scene all day yesterday. Scenes of crime officers carried out a thorough search of the property.

Neighbours described the youngster as a happy child with a "wonderful mother who would do anything for them".

One said: "People think that children on a council estate are dragged up, but that is not the case."

Friends said the child's parents were frantic with worry.

A police spokeswoman said last night that a man and woman had been arrested in connection with the incident in Harwich Grove, Hartlepool, which resulted in an 18-month-old child been taken into intensive care.

A police spokesman said: "Scenes of crime officers carried out a search of the house and officers are continuing their search today."

The investigation is headed by Detective Sergeant Matt Mason of the child abuse investigation unit.