Newborn baby found dead near lane

A newborn baby has been found dead and abandoned near a country lane, police have said.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to Ox Hey Lane, Lostock, near Bolton, after receiving a call that a body had been found.

The force has expressed concern for the welfare of the child's mother and appealed for information.

Superintendent Steve Nibloe said: "This is clearly a very upsetting incident and we already have a number of officers dealing with this at the scene and making other enquiries.

"We do not know with any certainty how long the baby has been there or how it has died and while I understand there will be concern in the community I want to reassure residents that we will be working hard to answer these questions.

"If anyone has any information whatsoever, regardless of how insignificant you think it might be, please get in touch.

"We are obviously deeply concerned for the welfare of the mother and if anyone has seen someone in the area or has any information about who you think the mother might be please call us."

Police have not yet confirmed the sex of the baby but said a post mortem examination is expected to take place on Monday.

The body was found shortly before 4.55pm on Thursday.