The body of a newborn baby has been found outside a church in London, with police urgently appealing for the mother to come forward for her own welfare.

Officers were called at 12:46pm on Tuesday to Powis Gardens in Notting Hill, west London, after a report that the body of a baby had been found in a bag left outside a church.

London ambulance service attended and the baby was declared dead at the scene.

Officers remain in the area outside All Saints church and urgent inquiries are ongoing to locate the baby’s mother, the Metropolitan police said.

The baby’s gender and exact age had not been established, the force added.

Supt Owen Renowden said: “This is an extremely sad and shocking matter and officers are working hard to establish the circumstances around what has taken place.

“This investigation is in the early stages and our immediate priority is to locate the baby’s mother, who we believe may have very recently given birth.

“If you are the baby’s mother and are reading this, please come forward to police or medical professionals.

“You must feel very frightened but please let us help – we are really worried about you and it is vitally important you get medical assistance and support. You can walk into any hospital, or a police station.”

The Met said anyone who might have any information about the incident or was in the area between 10am and 12:30pm on Tuesday should contact police.