Detectives investigating the death of a baby whose body was found amongst rubbish at a recycling plant have appealed for help in tracing its "vulnerable" mother.

The infant, thought to be a six-month boy, was spotted on the picking station at the Bell Waste Control site in North Lincolnshire on Wednesday.

Humberside Police are attempting to establish the identity of the baby's mother, who they believe is vulnerable and in need of medical treatment, and have asked for the public to come forward information. A post-mortem examination is expected to take place later on Thursday with hopes it will provide more clues as to how the youngster died.

The infant's body was found by a traumatised worker who was sorting waste at the plant. He originally mistook it for a doll or cuddly toy, but on realising it was a child dropped it instantly.

Recycling plant manager Steve Kent said the body probably came in with a dump of commercial rubbish. He told ITV news all the machines were stopped and the police were called following the find.

Referring to the employee who made the grim discovery, he said: "He was quite distressed and he immediately dropped it. We stopped the plant and went through the process with the police."

The baby would probably have come in with a load of commercial waste, which is collected from factories and offices, he said, adding: "How somebody can discard a baby in that manner is just ridiculous, it's disgusting."

The waste would have come into the plant in the last two or three days and could have come from a large area, including the towns of Doncaster, Grimsby and Scunthorpe, the manager said.

A Humberside Police spokesman said: "Very little is known in terms of the circumstances which led to the baby seemingly being discarded but we are concerned that the baby's parents, in particular his mother, may need help and support following the loss of her child and as such she may be very vulnerable at this time.

"We are urging anyone who can help identify the parents of this baby or the parents themselves to come forward in order for us to make sure they get any support or medical treatment that may be required."