A TWO-YEAR-OLD girl is in hospital after swallowing what might have been cannabis.

Her condition is not yet known but a police source today described the toddler as being "seriously ill.

She was taken to the University Hospital of Hartlepool from her home yesterday afternoon, and was later transferred to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Police were called to the address in the Seaton Lane area of Hartlepool at about 5.30pm last night, and scene of crime officers carried out a thorough search of the property after the house was sealed off.

The house was under police guard through the night, and officers remained at the scene this morning as investigations continued.

The case is being looked at by officers from Cleveland Police's Child Protection Team, though nobody from the unit was able to comment.

It is not thought that anyone has been arrested following the incident, though the police source said inquiries would be ongoing throughout the day.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "The place was swarming with police all last night, and they were still there this morning.

"All we have heard is rumours really, nobody seems to know exactly what has gone on, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."