REPORTS of a baby being snatched from Leighton Hospital were a false alarm, police have confirmed.

Police received reports of a baby being snatched from Leighton Hospital maternity ward at around 2.45pm today.

The hospital’s car park was closed off and police were on the scene.

It has now been confirmed that the reports were a false alarm and all babies have been accounted for after checks were made in all wards.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “Officers attended the scene and following enquiries it was established that all babies at the hospital were accounted for.

“Following investigations it has now been confirmed that this was a false alarm which was made with good intent.”

Carly Roberts, 34, from Alsager, was in the hospital with her newborn baby boy, Callum, today when the alarm had been raised.

She said: "There was a phone call on our ward just to do a baby count but I'm sat next to mine so I'm like 'he's here'.

"It's virtually impossible to get in and out of the wards.

"It's horrific to think about. You can't imagine it happening.

"You just expect if you're in the hospital that you're safe."

Carly's husband, Gavin Roberts, 37, knew something was wrong when he saw the heavy police presence outside the hospital.

He said: "We've been here all day. I came out to walk round to get some dinner.

"There were a load of midwives here, about six or seven of them.

"Then when I came back round, I've never seen so many police in my life.

"I'm just glad everyone's okay."