The body of a baby boy has been discovered at a recycling plant, police said today.

Police were called by staff at the Bell Waste Control site on Winterton Road, Scunthorpe, at around 9.30am today after the body of a young baby was found in items being sorted for recycling.

A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "We have launched an investigation into the death of a baby following the discovery of a body this morning at a waste recycling plant in Scunthorpe.

"At this time, 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."

The baby is thought to be a boy and possibly up to six months old.

Police hope a post mortem being carried out tomorrow will provide more clues as to how the baby died.

Speaking outside Scunthorpe Police station, Detective Sergeant Karen Philpott said: "Our main priority is to try and identify the mother of this child. We believe she may need medical assistance and support."