POLICE have gone online in their search for the mother who abandoned her baby son outside a mosque before he died.

Officers have recorded a film appealing for the woman to come forward amid concerns over her wellbeing.

The minute-long video has been uploaded to the YouTube, Facebook and Twitter websites by Staffordshire Police in an attempt to trace the mother whose dying baby was discovered in Shelton last weekend.

Chief Inspector Wayne Jones, who features in the film, said: "We're trying to take every opportunity to appeal to all parts of the community, be it young or old, or different religious groups, to make sure we get our message across to everyone possible.

"Websites like YouTube have a growing audience and we are using them to get messages out.

"I'm sure mum is scared and frightened following such a tragic loss, and will perhaps be confused about what to do. Her personal wellbeing is our absolute priority."

Chief Insp Jones said he was sure the force would find the woman, but wanted to do so "sooner rather than later" to ensure she was safe.

He added: "The investigation is extensive and quite complex and we will leave no stone unturned.

"We will continue to pursue forensic opportunities, carry out further house-to-house inquiries if needed, and work with the community to try to find out who owns the Peugeot 406."

The comment refers to the search for the driver and/or occupants of a car parked near the mosque before the baby was found, which was described in yesterday's Sentinel.

The baby was discovered a week ago today on the steps of the mosque in Beresford Street.

He was inside a John Smith's Bookshop bag, wrapped in pages from the Staffordshire Newsletter newspaper, and was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire at 12.30pm the same day.

CI Jones, from Stoke-on-Trent division, appeals directly to the baby's mother to come forward in the video.

He says in the film: "It's very difficult for me to understand what you must be feeling at the moment, but what I can assure you is that, if you are wondering where to go for help and support, you need to contact Staffordshire Police.

"We have everything in place and are ready to meet you to make sure you are cared for."

Officers were carrying out checks in Shelton today from 6am, stopping motorists and pedestrians in the hope of finding someone with information about the infant.

They are also checking CCTV footage from the area and have been handing out witness appeal leaflets in different languages.

And officers have also appealed directly to students and staff at nearby Stoke-on-Trent College and Staffordshire University to get in touch if they remember seeing anything unusual.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Beresford Street incident room on 0300 123 4455 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.