A mother has been charged with murdering her newborn baby.

Rachel Tunstill, of Wellington Court in Burnley, was charged yesterday and is due to appear at Preston Crown Court today.

Police were called on Monday to reports of a sudden death at a flat in Wellington Court and found a body of a baby girl inside a kitchen bin.

Police were called to an address at Wellington Court in Burnley on Monday after receiving reports of a sudden death

A post-mortem examination showed she had suffered a number of injuries, Lancashire Police said.

A 30-year-old man from Burnley who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released without charge and police said they were 'completely satisfied' he had no involvement in the baby's death.

Detective chief inspector Jill Johnston, of Lancashire Police, said: 'Following a complex investigation and after consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service we have today charged the mother of the newborn baby with murder.

'We are completely satisfied that the man who was arrested was not involved in the baby's death. He has been released without charge and my thoughts are with him at this difficult time. Both he and the baby's wider family are being supported by specially trained officers.

'I would like to thank the community for their co-operation and understanding during what has so far been a difficult and sensitive enquiry and I am sure that co-operation will continue.'