A baby boy who suffered horrific burns on Brighton beach has been allowed home from hospital.

The five-month-old was last night released from the Royal Sussex County Hospital after treatment for burns to 40% of his body.

Paramedics initially thought he had suffered 20% burns, but sunburn can continue to develop for several hours after sun exposure.

Consultant burns and plastics surgeon Baljit Dheansa said the boy was now in a stable condition but his injuries could have been life threatening.

Burns specialist Mr Dheansa, from The Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, was called to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton to treat the boy on Sunday afternoon.

He said the baby’s skin was already showing signs of blistering, which could lead to a loss of bodily fluids.

He said: “In a five-month-old baby, this could ultimately lead to risks of dehydration, low blood pressure and kidney failure.”

Sussex Police said they were working with social services to investigate the case.

A spokeswoman said: “The case of a five-month-old baby sunburnt on Brighton beach is being jointly investigated with Sussex Police and social services in Brighton and the London borough where the child lives.

“No arrests have been made at this stage and the baby is doing fine.”

The baby’s 29-year-old mother, from Plumstead in London, was visiting Brighton on one of the hottest days of the year when he suffered the horrific burns.