A teenage girl has been arrested after a newborn baby's remains were found in Sheerness.

The girl was taken into custody yesterday following the harrowing discovery in Broadway shortly before 1pm on Saturday.

A police spokesman said: "Officers have been carrying out numerous lines of enquiry and made the arrest at about 2.15pm on Wednesday 8 March 2017.

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"They are now ensuring the teenager's support and welfare is being taken care of."

The baby girl's remains were found on the green between the swimming pool and Roman Catholic Church on the seafront, which was cordoned off by police.

There was evidence a small fire had been started nearby.

VIDEO: Tributes have been left at the scene

It is not yet known how the baby died.

In the aftermath, an urgent appeal to find the mother was launched as police, fire investigators and forensics officers scoured the scene.

Officers taped off all three entrances to the green from Marine Parade, the promenade and an alley next to the pool, which is part of the Sheppey Leisure Complex.

Detective Inspector Richard Vickery said the baby's body had been found by a member of the public under a set of steps at the back of the pool.

The body is thought to have been left there between 10am and 12.30pm on Saturday.

DI Vickery said an "extensive forensic search" was carried out, and CCTV footage was reviewed as part of the investigation.

The teenager remains in custody.