A newborn baby whose body was exhumed by murder detectives has been reburied 16 years after her death.

Officers from Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate's cold case team attended the private burial service yesterday for baby April.

It comes after her body was exhumed for a forensic examination to be carried out.

The cold case murder investigation was reopened in March this year, 16 years after newborn baby April was found by a couple walking alongside Singleton Lake, Ashford on April 3 1995.

A coroner agreed police could exhume the body by HM Coroner in order to obtain a DNA profile of the baby. Her body has now been returned to Bybrook Cemetery.

Detective Inspector Dave Withers said: "The forensic examination is now complete and we have therefore left Baby April to rest in peace.

"I am really pleased with the progress of this investigation so far. With the help of our forensic science providers, we now have a full DNA profile of the child. Our next step is to identify the parents of the baby."

New born 'Baby April', as she was nicknamed by the investigation team, was found wrapped in a Kleenex toilet tissue bag inside a 'Motaworld' carrier bag.

A murder enquiry was launched and, despite an extensive investigation completed by Kent Police at the time, the parents of the baby were not identified and no one has been held to account for her death.

The baby weighed 7lbs and is believed to have been born between March 26and April 31995. A post mortem revealed she had died of asphyxiation.

Det Insp Withers appealed for anyone with information to come forward: "Now that we have a DNA profile it is easy for us to exclude potential suspects with a quick DNA test.

'We want to hear from anyone who may have information regarding baby April."

They particularly appealed for April's mother to come forward to give her side of the story.

Speaking directly to the mother, Det Insp Withers said: "We understand you may be worried or frightened by what happened, you may have been a young girl at the time and you may not have been alone.

"I urge you to contact me, I have specially trained staff who you can speak to. They will listen to what you have to say and you will be dealt with sensitively and compassionately."

Anyone with any information can contact officers on 01634 884044 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.