The death of a baby has shocked neighbours near the house where the infant was found.

Police sealed off the house in Cortis Avenue, Worthing, after the baby's body was discovered yesterday.

Detectives were called to the semi-detached house and were yesterday trying to determine how the baby had died.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman last night said: "We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a baby found in a house in Worthing.

"At this stage, the cause of death still has to be established and a Home Office pathologist will carry out a post-mortem examination this evening."

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

Residents in the street said they had not known of a baby in the house where they said Sonia Spring, in her 40s, lives with her son Barry Hawker, 22, and daughters Natalie, 19, and Natasha, 17.