"There are no words": In the snow beside a Salford playing field, a heartbreaking discovery

As they walked through the snow on the edge of a Salford playing field, a dog walker made a heartbreaking discovery. There, just yards from the M61 motorway, lay the remains of a young baby.

Police swooped on Ashtons Field in Little Hulton after the woman found the baby's body at about 12.30pm this afternoon (Wednesday, November 20). Officers taped off the field, off Cleggs Lane, while forensic officers began scouring the area for evidence.

The baby's identity, sex and ethnicity are yet to be determined. Detectives are also yet to establish how long the baby had been left at the scene.

READ MORE: What we know so far as baby's remains discovered by a Greater Manchester field

As darkness fell and temperatures dipped below zero this evening, men, women and children came out to pay their respects to the tragic youngster, who has been referred to as 'Baby A' by Greater Manchester Police.

Friends Raymond Irving and Tony Griffiths, from Little Hulton, were among those who braved the wintry conditions. They each lay down a bunch of flowers by the police tape at the entrance to the playing field.

“It’s terrible, shocking,” said Mr Griffiths. “It was the coldest night of the year last night.

“I can’t believe somebody has done this. It’s heartbreaking for the community.

"Little Hulton has a bad name but we’re not bad people. We all stick together and help each other.”

Wrapped in their winter coats, Alisha Sutton and her daughter Tallulah, seven, placed a teddy bear among the growing sea of floral tributes.

“She saw it on the news and wanted to put a teddy down for the baby before bed,” Alisha explained. “I’m absolutely shocked.

"My kids come on here all the time to play. It’s not something you want to see, especially when you