TWENTY years ago an unsuspecting dog walker discovered the body of a strangled baby boy who had arrived into the world just hours earlier.

The newborn, named Callum by police officers after the area in Warrington where his lifeless body was uncovered, was found wrapped in a black plastic bin bag in Callands near Gulliver’s World theme park on the morning of March 14, 1998.

Twenty years on from the harrowing discovery, his identity is still shrouded in mystery.

As many questions still remain unanswered, detectives at Cheshire Police have launched a fresh appeal for information to help trace those responsible for cutting the tot’s life tragically short.

DCI Simon Blackwell, from Cheshire Police’s major incident team, said: “We are now 20 years on since the tragic death of baby Callum who was found concealed in woodlands near to the Gulliver’s World site in Callands.

“We are keen to trace anyone who may have information regarding how baby Callum sadly died, particularly the parents or family members.

“We are committed to following up all information we receive in a sensitive manner.”

Baby Callum weighed just 7 pounds 8 ounces when he was discovered by a member of the public at around 11am.

The news of his death sent shockwaves across the town and sparked a murder investigation by the force.

Officers carried out DNA tests on almost 500 women during the course of their investigation, including many of the town’s school girls after leads suggested the mother would probably be a teenager.

The examinations failed to find a match but detectives refused to give up hope.

Several calls were also made to a special hot-line number from a woman claiming to be the child’s mother.

Upset and emotional, she spoke anonymously to an officer on numerous occasions but she was never traced.

The tragic tot who captured the town’s hearts was given a fitting memorial by well-wishers who raised funds to pay for a headstone - adorned by a tiny shepherd - at the town’s Manchester Road cemetery.

It is simply inscribed: “Baby Callum - Precious Child Of God. Laid To Rest 27 July 1998. With Love From The People Of Warrington.”

Anyone with information about the death of baby Callum can call Cheshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.