Updated 3.15pm

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE are investigating the discovery of the body of a newborn baby in Bolton in the northwest of England yesterday evening.

Police say they were called to Ox Hey Lane in Lostock, Bolton just before 5pm yesterday evening responding to reports that the body of a newborn baby had been discovered.

Police say they do not know how long the baby had been there or how it died and say they are concerned for the welfare of the mother.

The baby was wrapped up in clothing and plastic bags and a note was recovered that requested the baby receive an Islamic burial.

Chief Inspector Carol Martin said: “I cannot begin to imagine what either parent may be going through and we are very worried about their physical and emotional state.

“It is likely the mother in particular will require some form of medical attention and I want to appeal directly to both parents or anyone who knows them to contact police or visit your GP or local hospital.

“It is vitally important that I stress support networks are in place and are waiting and on hand to help the parents.

“While we cannot speculate on the ethnicity of either parent, there was a note left requesting the baby receive an Islamic burial and we have already reached out to the Muslim community through their Friday prayers through our partnership connections at the Bolton Council of Mosques.”

The age, sex, or ethnicity of the baby is not yet known and it is not clear whether it was alive or stillborn. A post mortem is expected to take place on Monday and enquiries are ongoing.

Earlier, superintendent Steve Nibloe, based at Bolton, said: “This is clearly a very upsetting incident and we already have a number of officers dealing with this at the scene and making other enquiries.

“If anyone has any information whatsoever, regardless of how insignificant you think it might be, please get in touch,” Nibloe added.