The child died last Friday evening - but his body was not released for burial by City of Manchester coroner Nigel Meadows until Wednesday - five days later.

The boy, whose surname is Dresdner, is believed to have suffered from cold and flu symptoms for a week before his parents discovered his colour had suddenly changed.

Hatzola were called, but it was too late.

The delay in the funeral caused consternation in the Salford Jewish community. And this rapidly spread worldwide.

The American-based website yeshivaworld.com posted an urgent appeal for emails to be sent to the coroner urging a speedy release of the body to comply with Jewish law.

The appeal read: "Unfortunately, a tragedy has occurred within the Manchester kehilloh (community) where a baby of 21 months passed away Friday night and askonim (community activists) have still been unable to secure a release document from the coroner's office, which entitles burial, despite promises that release would take place this morning (Tuesday). Protocol was followed by the Chevra Kadisha and family immediately and local askonim feel they need as many members from the frum community as possible to impress on the coroner's office to expedite matters immediately."

Correspondents were urged to send "pleasant" emails.

A sample letter was provided claiming that the writer had been "in contact with the family" who were undergoing "tremendous pain and suffering".

Not only was the coroner's office flooded with requests, but demonstrations also took place outside his office and home.

Simon Nelson, an Orthodox Jew who is coroner for neighbouring Greater Manchester North was also asked to intervene.

Refusing to comment on the case, which is not within his jurisdiction, Mr Nelson, however, slammed some of the communal protests as "an absolute disgrace and chillul Hashem".

He said: "The nature and persistence of the protests outside the coroner's house and court brings great shame on the community.

"People who are purportedly assisting a grieving family have a complete lack of understanding of the law of the coroner."

The case came as a great shock to the Manchester Jewish community which has always prided itself with its excellent relationship with coroners and was the first in the country to pilot MRI scans as an alternative to post-mortems.

Manchester Beth Din's Rabbi Yehuda Brodie refused to comment.