Police are trying to trace the mother of a newborn baby boy who was found abandoned in a shopping bag on a doorstep.
Homeowners in Worcester heard their doorbell ring at 4.30am this morning and when they opened the door they found the tiny baby in his baby-grow, lying in a hessian shopping bag.
The little boy is now being cared for by nurses at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, who have named him Joseph. Now police are anxious to trace the mum.
Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Williamson, of West Mercia Police, said: "It's the mother's welfare which is our priority."
She added that when found Joseph was 'clean and clothed' and that someone had obviously been caring for him.
Patti Paine, head of midwifery at the hospital, said: "He is being well looked after by the nurses here," she said.
"I would like to appeal to Joseph's mother to come forward to us because we believe she may be in need of urgent medical attention.
"It's important she's seen by a midwife as soon as possible to get checked over."
She added that a search of records had not revealed any expectant mothers known to the health services in the city, to whom the baby may belong. She also said she could not rule out the chances the mother had been concealing the pregnancy.
A 24-hour phone line has been set up by the hospital, in order for the mother to make contact.