THE body of a newborn baby has been found dumped in a garden in Bury.

Residents at a house in Tinline Street made the grim discovery around 11am this morning.

Police are keen to trace the parents of the child, which is said to be only a few days old.

It is not yet known how the baby died and forensic officers are currently on the scene.

The sex of the baby is unknown at this stage.

It was wrapped in a shawl, which will not be removed until a post mortem examination takes place tomorrow.

Supt Sam Haworth said: “It is a fairly newborn baby, probably only days old, which is why we are concerned about the welfare of the mother. We are recovering the body, which will be examined, and we need to find the mother to get medical treatment.

“I would appeal to anyone who knows any women or girls who have given birth recently and there is suddenly no baby. We need to identify the mother.”

A tent was erected outside the house where the discovery was made and about a dozen police officers have been guarding the surrounding streets, which have been cordoned off.

Tinline Street has been closed between the junctions of Ormrod Street and Back Benson Street.

Police were carrying out house to house inquiries this afternoon to see if anyone has seen anything or has any information.

Residents were surprised by the police activity in what has been described as a quiet area.

Daniel Horrocks, aged 18, said: “I have lived here all my life and I have never seen this many police. We have heard that a baby has been found but we don’t know a lot about it. I can’t believe something like this has happened round here.”

Another resident who asked not to be named said: “It’s really sad news. Everyone is talking about it but no one really know what’s happened.”

Anyone with information can call the police on 0161 856 2481.