The discovery of a foetus buried close to a church sparked a police investigation today.

The remains were discovered on private land close to St Blasius' Church in Rectory Road, Shanklin, on the Isle of Wight, on Saturday.

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said the remains were believed to have been there for several months and added that the incident was not being treated as suspicious.

A hunt has now been launched to find the baby's mother to offer her the necessary support.

The police spokesman added: ''The remains of what appears to be a human foetus were found on land near St Blasius's Church.

"Police are treating the find as a tragic incident and officers are carrying out inquiries to identify the mother so she can be given the appropriate help and support." The spokesman added that the case was not being passed to the coroner as the foetus had never been alive and therefore there was no reason to hold an inquest.