UPDATE: Freckleton vicar bailed in baby death probe

A Freckleton vicar, his wife and daughter have been bailed by police investigating the death of a newborn baby.
Rev James Perciva, below, village church Holy Trinity Church, Freckleton, where the Rev James Percival officiatesRev James Perciva, below, village church Holy Trinity Church, Freckleton, where the Rev James Percival officiates
Rev James Perciva, below, village church Holy Trinity Church, Freckleton, where the Rev James Percival officiates

Rev Jim Percival, 64, vicar at the Holy Trinity Church, in Freckleton, was arrested on Tuesday, along with two women named locally as his wife Susan and daughter Ruth.

They have now been bailed until March 5 next year.

Officers were initially called to an address in Sunnyside, Freckleton, on November 25 after a family member reported the still birth of a baby boy.

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Rev James Perciva, below, village church Holy Trinity Church, Freckleton, where the Rev James Percival officiatesRev James Perciva, below, village church Holy Trinity Church, Freckleton, where the Rev James Percival officiates
Rev James Perciva, below, village church Holy Trinity Church, Freckleton, where the Rev James Percival officiates

However, despite an inconclusive post mortem, police said they believe the baby boy’s death was suspicious.

Mr Percival and his daughter, 28, were both arrested on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child.

His wife was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child.