Detectives investigating the discovery of a baby girl in a Cambridgeshire waste plant, who is believed to have come from Worcester, have renewed their appeal for the mother to come forward.

Detective Inspector Adrian Todd, from South Worcestershire police said: “We are currently reviewing information which came into us overnight following yesterday’s media appeal.

“The media have a vital role to play in this investigation, helping us in our strenuous efforts to find the mother of this baby girl. We believe that she could be at serious physical and emotional risk."

Officers are working on the theory that the body - found in Peterborough on Wednesday - may have come from the Worcester area.

Elaine Newell, Head of Midwifery for the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals renewed her appeal to the baby’s mother to come forward to receive physical and emotional support: “I would like to appeal directly to the mother of this baby - or to anyone who may know the identity or whereabouts of this mother.

“I remain very concerned about your well-being and my immediate priority is to ensure that you receive any necessary midwifery and medical care. I appreciate that you must be feeling very confused, upset and afraid. Please be assured that I want to make sure you are safe and well.

“If you would like to speak to me directly you can contact me personally on 07775 800300 and I will talk to you and arrange for you to receive any necessary care.”

Det Insp Todd, who is leading the enquiry, said: “The investigation so far points towards the baby originating from in or around Worcester, although we cannot be absolutely certain at this stage.

“We are already exploring a wide range of possibilities and believe that the community can play a key role in helping to identify the mother who could well require urgent medical attention," he said.

A post-mortem examination did not establish the cause of death and tests are continuing.

He added: “So far she has not come forward and I would again urge her to do so. It is also possible that someone either knows or suspects who she is due to her perhaps behaving out of character or going absent from the locality or work without any reasonable explanation. I would appeal for them to come forward and also add that anyone shielding her identity may well be doing her a disservice if she does need medical help, as it could harm her health in the long term if she does not get treatment or counselling.”

Officers are working on the theory that the baby’s body reached the Peterborough site via a waste sorting plant in Bromsgrove, having been collected from waste bins in Worcester. However they are keeping an open mind as to where the girl was born.

Anyone with information is asked to immediately call South Worcestershire Police on 08457 444 888, quoting 289S/280808. Information can also be given - anonymously and free-of-charge - to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.