Police have issued a further urgent appeal following the discovery of a placenta and umbilical cord in Preston.

Officers believe that there could be a vulnerable mother and young baby who need medical attention and they are urging them – or anyone with information to come forward.

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The discovery was made by a worker at Preston Cemetery on New Hall Lane at shortly before 9.30am on Friday.

Tests have confirmed the remains, a placenta and umbilical cord, are human and there are traces of both female and male DNA, possibly the mother and a baby boy.

Further tests will now be carried out to try to narrow down the identity of the mother.

Chief Inspector Geoff Hurst said: “This is a significant enquiry and we are working extremely hard to try and establish exactly what has happened.

“Our enquiries are focussing on the basis that someone has given birth here or elsewhere and that there is a woman and young baby out there who will be in need of urgent medical and emotional support and it is vital that they contact us.

“We are carrying out a number of enquiries to try and identify the remains and we are talking to health-care professionals to see if they have any knowledge or information which could help us.

“We are not here to judge. This is about finding whoever has left these remains here and make sure they are safe. I can’t stress how important it is for people to come forward with information. We may have an extremely vulnerable woman out there who is in desperate need of help and support.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log number 0287 of Friday, September 26th.