An inquest was opened this morning into the death of a baby whose remains were found on a common.

Last week a 36-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of concealing a birth, after limbs were discovered by a council contractor on Tooting Bec Common earlier this month.

Westminster Coroners Court heard the woman, of Latvian origin, is currently being held in Springfield Hospital under the Mental Health Act.

Detective Sergeant Bell, of Lewisham Major Crimes Unit, said: "The mother is likely to have had the child in very difficult circumstances and abandoned it for reasons not known at this time.

"In the course of the investigation we have identified a lady of Latvian origin. She is subject to our current ongoing investigation.

"We need to establish a DNA profile and compare it to persons who may be the mother of the child."

He said police have been unable to talk to the woman yet.

It was said the baby could have been stillborn, but police forensic examinations are still continuing.

The inquest was adjourned, with updates being given to the coroner in the next two weeks.

Anyone with information can call detectives on 020 8721 4906 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.