A Church of England vicar and his daughter have been arrested after the body of a new-born baby was found at a Lancashire vicarage.

Rev Jim Percival, 64, the vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Freckleton, and his 28-year-old daughter, Ruth, are suspected of killing the baby boy, who is thought to be Ruth's child.

Both father and daughter are also suspected of attempting to conceal the child's birth. A 65-year-old woman, said to be the vicar's wife, Susan Percival, has also been arrested for conspiracy to conceal a birth.

The Telegraph reports that police were initially sent to the house on Tuesday 25 November after reports of a stillbirth.

Shortly afterwards, Jim Percival is said to have disappeared for a few days.

He was seen in the parish again on Monday this week at the switching-on of the Christmas lights, and was arrested by police on Tuesday.

Concerns arose after inquiries were made into the cause of the baby's death. The police reported that a post-mortem had been carried out but proved inconclusive. The boy's death is now being treated as suspicious.