The skeleton of a baby – found by builders in County Durham – is believed to have been deliberately concealed under floorboards more than 100 years ago.

Police in County Durham have revealed more details about the discovery by contractors who were renovating a Victorian property in Bishop Auckland.

The human remains were found in an upstairs room at an address in Fore Bondgate at around 11.15am on 29 July.

The remains were recovered, with police teams then carrying out a full search.

Investigators now say they have been able to date the remains because the baby was wrapped in newspaper which – based on a faded fragment of paper – was from 1910.

Durham Constabulary has carried out a forensic examination and said the baby was full term at 40 weeks, but the force has not been unable to confirm the gender.

Officers have also made a grim discovery about how the baby may have died.

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Experts found twine wrapped around the baby’s neck, suggesting the cause of the death was suspicious.

More tests are being carried out, including carbon dating, and detectives are appealing for information as they research the property’s historical records.

Detective Chief Inspector Mel Sutherland said: “The evidence suggests this has happened a very long time ago, which makes investigating the circumstances extremely difficult, but we still have a duty to that baby.

“My focus is on finding out who the baby is, what happened and how it came to be under the floorboards of that house.

The senior officer added: “I am determined that this little baby is given an appropriate and dignified funeral.”

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The property dates to the Victorian period and at one stage housed a church-run mother and baby unit, but it is thought the baby died before that time.

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Police have asked people with information about 67 Fore Bondgate to contact them.

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