POLICE have launched an investigation into whether a child was allowed to live in conditions of utter squalor without the youngster's plight having ever been reported to the authorities.

Officers started an inquiry after the Daily Echo revealed on Wednesday how environmental health workers in the city had been left horrified by the state of the flat when they broke into it.

Cat excrement had been smeared across floors and walls, the pet's litter tray was being used as a toy store and festering piles of rubbish were heaped into piles in every room.

Neighbours described the stench as so bad it made them retch every time they passed the property's front door. The clear-up operation took ten days and cost more then £1,000.

The Woolston flat had been occupied by a husband and wife and their toddler. They have not been named by the Daily Echo to protect the youngster.

Yet despite the horrific conditions, described by those who saw it first hand as some of the most disgusting they had ever seen, no one alerted social services or the police to the problems. Southampton's social services department has promised to launch an investigation into the case after admitting it knew nothing about the child's situation.

Now Hampshire Constabulary has become involved and will make inquiries into the case, particularly with regards to the child's current living conditions and whether the conditions in its former home amounted to abuse.

A spokesman for the force's child protection unit, said: "Having seen the pictures in the Echo we do feel it is appropriate to investigate this case further.

"However it is important to look into the details of the case before making judgements.

"It could be that the family were simply finding it hard to cope, and in that case it might be more appropriate to offer them help than to press charges.

"If it turns out to be a case of wilful neglect, then charges may well be an option. Either way it is important to establish how the child is now."