POLICE are today searching for the mother of a baby which was abandoned in a black holdall in the ladies toilets of a Worcestershire shopping centre.

The baby girl, believed to be just a few weeks old, was discovered by a member of the public in the Rowland Hill shopping centre, in Kidderminster town centre, at around 4.20pm yesterday.

The baby was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for medical and welfare checks, where she remains today.

North Worcestershire police officers have urged the mother of the baby to contact them.

Inspector John Morgan, of Kidderminster police, said: "We need to find out where mum is because she too may well need a medical check-up.

"She will probably be very frightened and desperate and we simply want to reunite mother and daughter."

He said officers were checking CCTV footage from the shopping centre and nearby shops in a bid to find clues as to the identity of the mother.

Insp. Morgan added: "The baby appears to have been well looked after.

"She was found in a black holdall-type bag and I would like to hear from anybody who may have seen a woman carrying a bag of this description either behaving suspiciously or in a distressed state.

"If anyone knows who the mother is, or if the mother is reading this herself, can she please call us as soon as possible."

The baby, which is white, was wearing a pink baby grow, a white bib, with the words "I'm a Pretty Princess," and was left in the bag with some nappies, baby wipes and a second baby grow.

Anyone with information should call police on 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.