EDDISBURY MP Antoinette Sandbach broke down in tears in the Commons on Tuesday as she spoke of the importance of memory boxes for grieving parents.

The Conservative MP became emotional as she touched upon the value of the boxes designed to help families keep memories of their lost baby.

Ms Sandbach lost her five-day-old son Sam in 2009.

Opening a backbench business debate to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, the Eddisbury MP told the Commons: "I have a memory box at home, I know how valuable it is."

She was comforted by fellow Tory backbencher Victoria Prentis (Banbury).

Ms Sandbach had earlier expressed her "increasing" concern at the rising number of child death cases in hospitals, including at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

She said: "Whilst I am pleased to see that there is the light of transparency being shown into these hospitals, I cannot help but be concerned by the number that we have seen in the last year.

"Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has been the subject of horrific news, with the investigation into maternity care expanding to more than 100 cases. Likewise, in my own area, the Countess of Chester Hospital is the subject of a criminal investigation amid allegations that a member of medical staff was involved in 17 deaths and 15 non-fatal collapses.

"More broadly, a recent study found that the baby death rate was 10 per cent higher than expected for a maternity unit."

Ms Sandbach asked for reassurance on what steps the Government is taking to address the issues, that there is a plan in place to support affected parents and ensure the investigation is as quick and thorough as possible.