A WOMAN claiming to be the mother of a newborn baby boy found under a hedgerow near Purton has come forward.

The boy, believed to be around a week old, was found by a local man on a farm track in the Pavenhill area at 3.45pm yesterday.

The woman, claiming to be the baby's mother, contacted the police after media appeals and is helping them with their inquiries.

She is being examined by a doctor to see if she needs medical treatment.

Det Insp Bob Hamlin, senior investigating officer in the case, said: "A baby, about one week old, was found by a member of the public at an isolated but well visited location near to Purton."

"The baby had been left, we believe, with the intention of being found rather than simply abandoned. The baby is being cared for at Princess Margaret Hospital . His condition is described as fine."

The baby still had the clamp attached where his umbilical cord had been removed and suffered slight sunburn after being left outside, but is otherwise well.

He was found in a blue and yellow checked car seat on a farm track not far from the village road.

With him was a 12-inch traditional teddy bear with a blue ribbon, some wet wipes and nappies.

Anyone with further information call 01380 735735.