THE TRAGIC baby boy whose body was dumped by a canal in Newbridge five months ago will finally be laid to rest on Thursday.

The discovery touched the hearts of many people, and a large turnout of mourners is expected to pay their final respects to a child who may never have lived outside his mother's womb.

The baby boy has never had a name, but Caerphilly county borough council - which is responsible for the funeral and burial - says the infant will now be known as Baby Newbridge, and that is the name the child's coffin will carry on its nameplate.

Caerphilly county borough council announced yesterday the service would take place at 1pm in St Paul's Church, High Street, Newbridge, followed by his burial service at Abercarn Cemetery at 1.45pm.

The child's naked body was found wrapped inside a plastic bag inside a sports holdall by the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal, Newbridge last October.

At the baby's inquest last week, Gwent coroner David Bowen said it was "one of, if not the most distressing deaths ever reported to me," and the body was released for burial.

Despite an extensive police investigation and repeated appeals by detectives through the media for her to come forward, the child's mother has never been found.

The inquest in Newport heard Home Office pathologist Dr Stephen Leadbeatter was unable to ascertain the cause of the baby's death because of the state of the body which could have been in the water for up to five weeks.

Caerphilly council leader, Councillor Lindsay Whittle, said: "The authority is keen that the baby receives a proper and dignified service.

"We are aware of the strength of feeling in the community and we want to allow local people to pay their respects on the day."

The service will be conducted by Reverend Margaret Jefford and it has been requested that there are no floral tributes.

Instead, donations received will be sent to the Stillborn and Neonatal Death Society. The council request all donations are made to Newbridge funeral directors Ellis Williams who can be contacted on 01495 243623.

A book of remembrance will be available to sign at St Paul's Church between 8.30am and 6pm on Thursday.