Reward offered over baby's body in brook mystery

The baby boy was thought to be no more than a few weeks old when his body was found in Spen Brook

A reward of up to £10,000 has been offered for information which could help police solve the mystery of how the body of an unknown baby boy was abandoned in a stream nearly 14 years ago.

The boy, thought to have been no more than a few weeks old, was found in Spen Brook, off Carr Lane in Kirkham, in 2011.

While Lancashire Police traced his father last year through a DNA match, and he helped detectives as much as he could, the baby's mother has still never been identified.

The reward is being offered for information, exclusively given to the Crimestoppers charity, which leads to either her identification or provides clarity about how the baby's body came to be found in the brook.

The case is being reinvestigated by Lancashire Police's major crime cold case review team, which was established 18 months ago.

Detectives believe the baby was no more than one month old and had been born at full-term.

It is thought his body had been in the water for no more than five days when he was found by a dog walker.

A union jack towel, a green towel with a "Renaissance" label, and a discoloured fleece - which was originally blue and white - were found near his body.

'Come forward anonymously'

Crimestoppers, which is independent of the police, stressed details passed directly to the police would not qualify for a reward.

Spokesman Gary Murray said: "This heartbreaking case has deeply affected the community of Kirkham and West Lancashire.

"The baby was laid to rest in St Michael's Churchyard without a name.

"We hope this renewed appeal and reward will encourage anyone with information to come forward anonymously.

"Someone must know what happened - perhaps they aided the mother or she confided in them afterward?"

Mr Murray added: "It's vital that the mother receives the help and support she needs."

The boy's funeral service, paid for by donations from local residents and businesses, was held in 2012.