A teenage girl has been questioned by police about the death of a baby girl.

Sussex Police questioned the 17-year-old after the infant was found at a house in Cortis Avenue, Worthing, on Sunday morning.

Detectives released her without charge yesterday afternoon on police bail until early October.

A post-mortem examination on the baby was held at Worthing Hospital but results were inconclusive and further forensic tests are taking place to establish the cause of death.

Detective Inspector Tony O'Donnell said: "The body is that of a young baby but at this stage I cannot give an age.

"An inquiry of this type involving a very young baby is especially sensitive and it is a delicate process.

"It is important we can understand the events surrounding the death of this little girl.

"Our investigation is focusing on the house where the baby was found."

Banging could be heard from the garden of the house yesterday afternoon where detectives and members of the police's scientific support branch were investigating.

The girl's mother spoke today of her daughter's anguish.

The 45-year-old mother-of-four wants to put a stop to rumours surrounding the baby girl's death.

She said: "My daughter has done nothing wrong. She had a miscarriage at home and she is distraught. She's just a frightened 17-year-old girl.

"We didn't know she was even pregnant. This is very hard for me.

"There have been umours about a baby being dug up in the garden but it is definitely not true.

"There's always somebody who will make a mountain out of a molehill. Everybody is getting it all wrong.

"We have had a lot of support from our friends and family and I'm grateful for that. We just want to be left alone now."Detective Constable David Foster, the liaison officer for the family, said: "It's a very difficult time for the family. They are very upset."

Residents in the street said they had not known there was a baby in the house.