A three-week-old baby has died after apparently being bitten by a small terrier at a home in Sunderland, English police have said.

Police were called to the house on Falkland Road at 4.15am on Saturday and the baby was taken to hospital, but later died.

The dog has been taken away and is expected to be put down,

Superintendent Gillian Mitchell of Northumbria Police said: "This is obviously a very tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family of the baby at such a difficult time.

"We are carrying out enquiries to establish the circumstances of the incident and will have extra officers in the area to allow this to be done.

"Officers will also be on patrol to offer reassurance to the local community who may be concerned."

A 30-year-old man has been arrested over the death.