A MURDER probe is under way after the death of a baby girl in Newport. A man in his forties has been arrested on suspicion of murdering the child.

The man has been released on police bail pending further inquiries into the death.

The baby is understood to have been three-and-a-half months old. The cause of death is being investigated.

Superintendent Nigel Russell at Newport Central police station said: "We do have inquiries going on into the death of a child and as a result of that inquiry a man has been arrested and interviewed."

The man was arrested on July 12, which is believed to be six days after the baby died.

A multi-agency area child protection (ACP) committee, which includes the police, social services and the health authority, will also be carrying out its own investigation.

This is general procedure in cases of the suspicious death of a child. A Newport city council spokeswoman said: "ACP committees are always informed of sudden deaths of children and if appropriate would review the various involvement of the agencies with the family before the death."