'We know the baby's mum is out there somewhere'

Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley made a direct appeal to the mother

Police have appealed to the mother of a baby whose remains were found in a field to come forward.

The infant's body was discovered near Ashtons Field in Little Hulton, Salford, on Wednesday.

At a press conference on Friday, Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley of Greater Manchester Police said the force did not know “ the background or circumstances that have led to this baby being separated from the mum”.

"We know this baby’s mum is somewhere out there - potentially watching this - and we appeal to anyone who may know the mum, or who had suspicions about her pregnancy, to come forward so we can find her and speak to her," she said.

Locals have left tributes where the baby's remains were found

Tributes were left at the roadside close to where the child, identified by the police as Baby A, was found by a woman who discovered them while out walking her dog.

DCI Whalley said the investigation was still in its "early stages" after the child's remains were found by the layby of Cleggs Lane.

The force "did not know the pressures" the mother may have been under before and after she gave birth, but its priority was "to find answers", she said.

"We will do everything we can to help the mum. Trained officers are ready to support her, no matter what the circumstances are... please contact us."