Sports Direct baby birth: Woman, 28, arrested

The baby was born at Sports Direct's warehouse in Shirebrook on Wednesday

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of wilful neglect after a baby was born in "unusual circumstances" at a sports retail warehouse.

The seriously ill baby boy was taken to hospital after being born at the Sports Direct distribution centre in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, on Wednesday.

Police said the woman arrested, who is thought to be the baby's mother, is aged 28.

A spokeswoman said the baby's condition had improved.

"A baby boy is being treated at a neonatal unit and is making good progress but is still undergoing tests," she said.

Police were called by the ambulance service at around 23:15 GMT on 1 January to report the birth of the baby.

Both the mother and her baby were taken to hospital for treatment.

A spokesperson for Sports Direct declined to comment because of the police investigation and would not confirm if the mother was an employee.

Sports Direct has about 400 stores across the UK and describes itself as "the UK's leading sports retailer by revenue and operating profit".

It was founded by Mike Ashley, the billionaire owner of Newcastle United.