Skeleton of baby found under floorboards apparently ‘undisturbed for years’

The skeleton of a baby found beneath floorboards by contractors working on a property renovation appears to have been “undisturbed for a number of years”, police have said.

The human remains were found on Monday morning in an upstairs room at an address in Fore Bondgate, Bishop Auckland , in County Durham.

On Wednesday, Durham Constabulary said it had finished searching the building and no other human remains were present.

A spokesman said: “Detectives are waiting for the results of forensic analysis, however initial indications appear to suggest that the baby was full term and had been undisturbed for a number of years.”

They added: “The body of the baby has now been recovered from the scene and has been taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle , where a post-mortem examination will be held on Friday morning.”