A NORTH-EAST toddler who almost drowned in her garden pond was last night said to be improving in hospital.

Katie Cooper, two, of Monkend Gardens, Croft, near Darlington, fell into the pond at her home last week.

She is at Newcastle General Hospital, where she is undergoing tests.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said last night that Katie's condition was improving gradually.

It is believed her parents rescued her from the water and revived her before police and paramedics arrived and took her to Darlington Memorial Hospital. Police stressed there were no suspicious circumstances involved.