A baby died in hospital of a brain injury and heart attack after choking on food at his daycare, an inquest has heard.

Oliver Steeper was being looked after at Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Kingsnorth on September 23 when he became unable to breathe while eating.

He died six days later at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

A police investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy remains ongoing almost a year on, but this morning at County Hall in Maidstone an inquest into the nine-month-old's death was opened by area coroner Bina Patel.

The cause of death given at the hearing was a brain injury and cardio-respiratory arrest following "aspiration of foodstuffs during a choking episode".

Speaking after this morning's brief hearing, Oliver's father, Lewis Steeper, said: "We are grateful that the inquest into our son's death has now been officially opened and we will continue to be there every step of the way for our beautiful little boy.

"Oliver's care remains under investigation by Kent Police and we are so thankful to everyone who has been involved and the support they have given us."

Following the tragic incident, Ofsted closed the nursery in Field View on a temporary basis pending a full investigation into 'serious safeguarding concerns' in the lead up to Oliver's death.

However, parents and carers were later informed that the owner of the nursery had voluntarily shut the facility down.

Miss Patel expressed her condolences to the tot's family, who attended this morning's opening, and adjourned the inquest for a pre-inquest review on September 30.

Additional reporting by Sean McPolin