The garage where Lara's remains were found

The little girl, who has been given the name Lara by detectives, is thought to have been aged about six months when she died.

Lara is believed to have been born some time around 1990 and 1992.

Her remains were found on 11 September 2002 in a free-standing block of concrete dumped among rubbish in a derelict garage in Barepot, near Workington, Cumbria.

A man carrying out DIY was moving the rubbish could not move the heavy concrete block, so smashed it up.

At the time she died she would have been able to sit aided, make her first sounds, be able to eat a biscuit and smile and look at people Detective Chief Inspector Andy Carter

Lara's remains were then discovered.

Officers have said that they hoped the baby's parents would come forward to explain her death.

But they are expected to announce on Wednesday they are to begin a full-scale murder inquiry.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Carter, of Cumbria Police, said: "Lara has been left alone for many years.

"We have taken her on as our baby. She's had no-one to look after her or her interests.

First sounds

"At the time she died she would have been able to sit aided, make her first sounds, be able to eat a biscuit and smile and look at people.

"She was a human being. If she was alive today she would have been starting secondary school."

Mr Carter said it was "pivotal to the investigation" that the parents came forward.

He was expected to release further details at a press conference at 1030 BST on Wednesday at Workington police station.