Forensic officers at the scene of the find in Gourock

Detectives said the body was found by a member of the public on the track in the Devol Glen area of Inverclyde at about 1740 BST on Wednesday.

Pathology and forensic tests are being carried out at the scene between Greenock and Port Glasgow.

Det Insp Mark McGowan appealed for anyone with any information about the girl to get in touch.

He said: "Our enquiries are at an early stage. We do not know how long the body has lain or the circumstances of the baby's death."

Resident Louise Williamson said she was horrified.

"It's horrible to think somebody has dumped a wee baby," she said.

"There are kids playing about there. You wonder how long it's been lying there and why nobody has missed a wee baby. It's horrible."

A post-mortem examination will take place, Strathclyde Police said.