New leads in baby death mystery

Police reconstructed the block in which the baby was found

Police say they have had an "encouraging" response to a second public appeal over the discovery of the gruesome remains of a baby found encased in concrete.

An initial appeal for help following the discovery of the remains of a baby girl - christened Lara by police - resulted in just four calls to a special telephone helpline.

But a second appeal, which featured a reconstruction of the concrete block used to hide the six-month-old's remains, has triggered about a dozen calls, which police say they are now following up.

Lara's remains were found on 11 September, 2002, in a free-standing block of concrete, dumped among rubbish in a derelict garage in the tiny hamlet of Barepot, near Workington, Cumbria.

Cumbria Police said Lara would have led a "distressing and painful" life before she died, police have said.

She was suffering from a painful, untreated, gum abscess when she died.

A police spokesman said: "We have had 12 calls since the second press conference. Half have been from Cumbria, the rest from outside the area.

The garage where Lara's remains were found

"Some people called in with suspicions of baby noises that have ceased and news of people who left the area unannounced and we're in the process of going through those.

"We don't know Lara's real identity and we need the public's help."

Lara's remains were found after the block, weighing more than three stones, was smashed following attempts to move it.

Experts believe Lara died sometime between 1990 and 1992.

Police believe the concrete block was dumped elsewhere before it found its way to the derelict garage.

There was evidence that the garage was broken into in 1995, he said.

The concrete block Lara was discovered in has also been analysed, and was probably made by someone with knowledge of the building trade.

Analysis of the concrete also revealed it was most likely to have been made in the Workington area.

About 15 scientists have been helping detectives and the possibility of carrying out DNA tests on people in the area has not been ruled out.

Consultations will shortly begin with the coroner to discuss Lara's funeral.