The body of a baby found on wasteland was that of six-month-old Troy Simpson who went missing from his home on Tuesday, police confirmed today.

A post mortem examination has been carried out on the body that was discovered in Smethwick, Birmingham, just yards from the child's home.

Earlier today West Midlands police were granted extra time to question three people arrested in connection with his disappearance.

Time to quiz a fourth person also detained on Tuesday runs out later today.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: "The body that was found in the Smethwick area yesterday, has been formally identified and it is that of Troy Simpson.

"There are no post mortem results available to date."

West Midlands Police yesterday appealed for help in finding the missing child who vanished from his home, in the Uplands area of Smethwick, on Tuesday.

Troy, who lived with his mother and grandmother, was put to bed on Monday, although his mother is not believed to have stayed at home that night.

He was reported missing the next day.

Police refused to say whether Troy's mother was among the four arrests, although some of the individuals in custody were said to be "related" to the youngster's family.