A high dose of morphine given to a premature "miracle baby" did not cause the child's death, a coroner has ruled.

An inquest into the death of seven-day-old Talvin Singh, the sole survivor of twins, was told he had been given a day's dose of the drug after being born prematurely at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

An investigation was started by the police and hospital authorities after Talvin died in September 2004, but yesterday Bradford Coroner Roger Whittaker said the morphine had played no part in his death.

A post-mortem examination was carried out by forensic pathologist Professor Christopher Milroy who said there was "no evidence that the excess administration of morphine played a significant part in this child's death".

Professor Milroy later confirmed to Mr Whittaker that Talvin's death was "inevitable" and that the morphine did not play any part, the inquest was told.

Prof Milroy said that the cause of death was problems associated with Talvin's premature birth, at which he weighed fewer than 2lbs.

Recording a verdict of natural causes Mr Whittaker said: "Although it seems that for some days Talvin managed to survive, the likelihood that he was inevitably going to die was in the minds of everyone.

"I take the view that the problems with regard to the morphine have been ruled out."

A the time of Talvin's death, lawyers representing the Singhs, who then lived in Whetley Hill, Bradford, said that Talvin was a miracle baby'.

They had been told by doctors that Talvin would be home with them by Christmas.

Talvin's parents did not attend the inquest but issued a statement following the verdict which said: "The family are not happy with the verdict. They do not feel it adequately reflects their trauma.

A spokesman from Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "We would like to express our sympathies to the family of Talvin Singh. We agree with the coroner's verdict that Talvin died of natural causes."

e-mail: claire.lomax@bradford.newsquest.co.uk