'We've not lost hope at solving the mystery of baby Ava'

A YEAR ON FROM DISCOVERY OF TOT'S BODY, £50,000 REWARD OFFERED TO HELP SOLVE CASE

- By NEAL KEELING

A BED of nettles now covers the spot where Baby Ava was buried, next to an ash tree, just 20 steps from a main road.

Yesterday, on the anniversary of her being found, it was announced a reward of £50,000 is being offered to help to solve the heartbreaking mystery.

Her body was buried in a 12cm-deep grave, but she was discovered on top of the snow-covered wedge of grass at the entrance to a country park in Salford.

A badger, fox or large bird hunting for food in freezing conditions is thought to have brought her tiny body to the surface - just a day, or hours, after it was left there.

The location next to Cleggs Lane in Little Hulton suggests whoever left her there may have done so in panic. They could have walked into the park, known as Ashton Fields, but instead Ava was left close to a busy road over the M61 motorway, near an industrial estate.

After 12 months of intensive work by scientists, police can now be certain as to the 20-day period in which Baby Ava was left. It is thought her body may have been kept elsewhere for a substantial period before it was left in the field.