Abandoned baby was born alive

The baby was found in a lay-by in a plastic bag

Police say the baby found dead inside a plastic bag in a lay-by in Cornwall had been born alive.

The child, less than 24-hours old, was discovered in a lay-by between St Dennis and Whitemoor, near St Austell, at about 1530 GMT on Thursday.

The body was found by a contractor who was clearing rubbish in the area, which is regularly used by fly-tippers.

A post-mortem examination on the child's body has revealed she died of neglect after birth.

Police have said they are desperate to trace the mother to offer help and support.

Detective Inspector David Dunne said: "From the post mortem carried out by a Home Office pathologist, it appears the baby did live for a very short time after birth.

"We are very anxious to find that mum to give her all the help and assistance we can in trying to overcome what has been and very trying experience for her."

He said earlier: "An individual cannot keep this a secret.

"Therefore I am asking any girlfriends to come forward, or even a boyfriend if there is a boyfriend involved."

'Bleeding'

The women's health department at the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, Truro, has also said the mother could be in need of vital medical attention.

The hospital said: "We have no idea what type of delivery she had. She could be bleeding, we've no idea whether the afterbirth was delivered.

"She could have bled during labour and be in a weak state."

Police have been conducting house-to-house inquiries in the area where the baby was found.