A NEW-BORN baby girl has been found dead in a wheelie bin.

Police were called at 2.40pm today after a member of the public discovered the body in a communal waste area on Whitcliffe Grange, Richmond.

Paramedics were called but the baby could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are now appealing for the girl's mother to come forward.

Inspector Mark Gee, of Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Enquiries are at a very early stage and our primary concern is to locate the mother of the new born baby girl to ensure that she receives urgent medical care.

“It is highly likely that the mother is in a very distressed state and needs professional support.

“We urge her to contact the police or medical staff as a matter of urgency as her health and wellbeing is the priority.”

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote incident number NYP-01122014-0234.