'I know what's it like to lose a child. I feel sorry for the mother'

The morning after the tragic discovery of a baby's remains on a playing field in Salford there's profound sadness in the community.

Distraught locals have been arriving at the scene in Little Hulton to lay teddy bears and flowers in memory of the the child named 'Baby A' by police. The identity of the youngster may not be known yet, but the community is still mourning the tragic loss.

The quiet scene, passed only by occasional mourners and drivers passing and watching on, remained a hive of forensic activity on Thursday morning.

READ MORE: LIVE: Police scene as baby is found in Salford field and investigation enters second day - latest updates

Journalists remained stationed at the police tape, as broadcasters with cameras arrived. Laid beneath the cordon were a growing number of flowers, teddy bears and children's toys.

'RIP Baby A' was printed on the fabric love heart, being held by a small teddy bear.

Tony Griffiths knows all too well the pain of losing a child. Some 13 years ago he lost his son, aged 19.

"I know what it's like to lose a child," he said as he laid red flowers at the scene. "The mother should come forward.

"She will have family. It's such a tragic case.

"I feel sorry for the mother. It's sad all round - but she could need help and support, and there isn't enough of that.

"Nobody knows yet what happened, but people will finger point. She could've been in a mental health situation and didn't know what to do. It's sad all round."

Another woman said she had turned off social media after seeing speculation on a local Facebook group. "The worry is now is they it's someone we know," she said. "But it could be a million reasons behind it."

A large police cordon was put in place on Ashtons Field after a dog walker found the baby's remains at about 12.30pm yesterday. The baby's identity, sex and ethnicity are yet to be confirmed.

Detectives are also yet to establish how long the baby had been left at the scene. Today the entrance to the field remains fenced off.

Forensics investigating can be seen searching around the footpath just inside the entrance. A special camera is also being used to take 3D images of the area, which will then be digitally analysed.

Speaking last night GMP say they hope to have the results of a Home Office post-mortem examination within two days.

At a press conference, Chief Supt Neil Blackwood appealed for anyone with information to come forward. He said: "The most important thing for us right now is to find answers for this baby and I would urge anyone who has any information at all to get in touch with us. Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote log 1319 of November 20 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.