A DYING man has made what he thinks will be his final trip to the grave of a baby boy who was found dead on a tip near Millom.

Donald Eaton has been visiting the grave of the tot found at Redhills tip on December 1 1989 every year to pay his respects.

This year Mr Eaton did not know whether he would be able to make it because he has been receiving treatment for bowel cancer.

But he successfully made the journey on Friday, the day before the anniversary, to lay a wreath at the unnamed boy’s grave.

This is the 29 year anniversary of the boy's death.

Mr Eaton, who grew up in Millom but now lives in Egremont, said: “I didn’t think I was going to make it this year because I have cancer.

"I just kept it going because I’m a former Millom lad and I’m just trying to find some justice.

“I’ve had a bad year this year because I’ve been in hospital a lot to receive treatment. It really has taken its toll on me and done a lot of damage so I never thought I’d make it.

“This could be the last year that I visit and I think it probably will be.

“I think I’ll be in heaven soon, and when I am I’ll be able to tell the little boy I did everything I could to try to get justice for him.

“I’ve done everything I can in the past to try to find out who his parents are and get justice for him."

He added: “I’m upset and heartbroken that this has never been solved but I’m at peace with the fact I’ve done everything I can over the years.”

The body of the baby boy was found abandoned on the Redhills tip in 1989 in bad condition and, despite the best efforts of police, it remains an unsolved case.

In the past Mr Eaton has campaigned to raise awareness of the case.

He has approached Scotland Yard, Crimewatch and The Queen to try to gain backing to find the identity of the boy.

He said: “I’ve searched everywhere to find someone who knows his identity. He was a 12 to 18 month old boy and I think he was from the area, so there must be a mother or father or even a midwife who knows something about who he was.

“That’s what I wanted to find out so he can get some justice.”