A company boss has spoken of his distress after a baby’s body was found at a Shipley waste processing site.

It is the second time in little more than two years that a baby’s body has been found in rubbish being processed at the plant.

Police were called to Associated Waste Management in Valley Road at about 10.30pm on Wednesday after staff on one of the picking lines found the body of a new-born baby boy.

In May 2011, part of the remains of a baby girl was discovered by a worker.

Despite a major police investigation her identity has still not been established and her funeral took place last summer.

AWM business development director Tim Shapcott said the latest find had been “unpleasant and upsetting” for staff who were sorting waste collected in Bradford and Leeds.

The processing plant in Valley Road was shut down while police carried out forensic searches and interviews which continued until 5am yesterday when the company was given the all-clear to re-open.

Mr Shapcott said the mood among workers was sombre.

He said: “We are working with the police to help all we can and are trying to pin it down to a time-frame and a possible location from where the waste may have come from.

“We take waste not just from Bradford Council but Leeds City Council and other third party disposable companies from the private sector. We also have internal movements from our own vehicles to look at. It is a factory process here and we are doing our best to try to narrow it all down.”

Mr Shapcott said his staff had been though a harrowing ordeal.

“It was not pleasant and was quite upsetting for the men and the supervisor who witnessed the find,” he said.

“They were with the police all night. The police have been very effective taking information and dealing with the incident.”

Mr Shapcott said the company had worked with the local community to raise funds and help give a decent burial for the first baby girl, who they had named Catherine after Prince William’s bride. It had also created a memorial garden at the site.

“We would not hesitate to do the same this time,” he said.

The senior detective leading the inquiry has urged the mother of the baby, who may have health and welfare issues, to come forward.

A forensic post-mortem examination took place yesterday to try to determine the cause of death but it was believed the boy was very recently born.

Detective Superintendent Mark Ridley said: “My priority is the condition and welfare of the mother and ensuring she receives the medical care she needs.”

News of the latest discovery shocked people who live nearby.

When she learned of the discovery, Maureen Knowles, of Bolton Woods, said: “Not again. That’s so sad – I remember last time it happened.”

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.