The garage where Lara's remains were found

Detectives in Cumbria have named the girl Lara following the discovery of the six-month-old's body in a garage in Workington a year ago.

Police say the remains could have been there for 15 years.

So far there has been little response to an appeal to relatives of the dead infant.

Now police say they are ready to take DNA samples from about 300 people in the Barepot area, where the baby's remains were found on 13 September 2002.

Police were called to the garage after a man doing some DIY work found the remains.

They were taken to the mortuary at the West Cumberland Hospital for further investigation.

Despite extensive testing, a cause of death as yet to be determined.

'Sympathetic approach'

Detective Sergeant Alison Dacre, from Cumbria Police's family unit, said they wanted to trace the child's parents or any relative who may have information.

"We need to hear from anyone who remembers a child going missing 10-15 years ago," she said.

"It will obviously be difficult for people to remember everything from that long ago.

"But if people have children who were the same age as Lara at the time, they may remember going to ante-natal classes or the like.

"Lara was six-months old when she died, so was alive for that period and must have been seen by some people.

"We will offer a very sympathetic and sensitive view to those parents if they come forward.

"We will meet them anywhere at any time. It doesn't have to be at their home or at a police station."

The Cumbria Police incident room can be contacted on 01900 844331.