Police have launched an urgent search for the mother of a foetus whose remains have been discovered in a bag by a river.
The remains were found by officers on Tuesday near the River Hodder in Lancashire after a member of the public discovered what they believed to be a placenta.
When the bag – found beneath Hodder Bridge in Stonyhurst – was searched, the remains of the baby were unearthed.
The foetus is not thought to be at full-term point of gestation and Lancashire Police are currently working to determine its exact age.
The force has said it is 'really important' to identify the mother as concerns for her health and welfare are raised.
A cordon remains at the scene while investigations are ongoing.
Police have urged members of the public who witnessed anything 'unusual' to get in touch and are particularly keen to speak with a man who was in the area with his two children between 1pm and 3pm on the day of the discovery.
The remains of a foetus have been found beneath Hodder Bridge in Stonyhurst in Lancashire
Detective Chief Inspector Jill Vescovi, of Lancashire Police's major investigation team, said: 'We have a live investigation underway following the devastatingly sad discovery of this little one.
'Our enquiries are in their very early stages, and we are working to determine the important facts.
'What we do know is that it is really important for us to find the mother of this baby.
'We are concerned about her health, and her welfare, and urgently need to identify her and speak to her.
'I know that she must have been through something horrific, and she may be frightened about coming forward.
'We need to speak to her so that we can find out what happened, and so that we are able to give her baby the goodbye they deserve.
'I want to make a direct appeal to her today to ask her to please come forward and speak to us, or someone she trusts who will make a report.
'We want to make sure you are safe and that you have had any relevant treatment you may need.
'It's also really important that we speak to people who were in the area recently, to help us try and determine how the foetus came to be in this area.
'Someone will know what has happened, and it is my, and my team's job to find out exactly what. We have enquiries ongoing, but we need your help.
'If you know anything, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, please get in touch with us.'