A HUNT has been launched for a young mother and baby after reports an infant had been abandoned in Edenfield.

A large operation was launched after a woman rang a helpline last night saying: “I have just given birth to a baby and left it in a field.”

Police went to a country road near Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Edenfield and found a blanket stained with human blood.

All day searches today by officers and the police helicopter failed to reveal any sign of the mother or baby.

Superintendent Steve Pemberton, who is leading the investigation, appealed for the woman to get in touch.

He said she had sounded distraught and he was “extremely concerned” for the welfare of her and any baby.

He said: “I want this young woman to know she is not in trouble. We just want to know that her and her baby are safe."

Following the helpline call at 10.30pm a full scale examination of the scene, off Rochdale Road, and surrounding fields was undertaken.

Police sniffer dogs and Rossendale Mountain Rescue Team also supported the search.

Detectives said the blanket found at the scene was a white knitted type and near-by carrier bag was a green Wilkinson's bag for life.

Edenfield villager Helen Le-Moine, 54, lives across the road from where the carrier bag was found.

She said: "This is really strange as this road is so quiet especially at night.”

Father-of-two Colin Ellis, 39, who lives adjacent to the scene, said: "We had no idea until one of the neighbours told us. This road is really quiet you just wouldn't expect this to happen.

Neil Martin, manager of Bleakholt Animal Sanctaury, which is situated behind the field where the bag and blanket was found, said: "We first started wondering what was going on at closing time when we heard the helicopter and saw police at the top of the lane.

"It's really shocking.”