Police today issued a warning after a Hampshire toddler was crushed to death with a concrete garden ornament.

Officers believe the top of a concrete birdbath crushed the three-year-old as he played in the garden of his grandparents' home in West Wittering, near Chichester, West Sussex.

A Sussex Police spokesman said today that the boy, identified only as Oliver from Alton, was taken to St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, following the incident last Friday but he later died.

Police said the incident is not being treated as suspicious and details of the accident have been passed to the West Sussex Coroner ahead of an inquest.

Detective Sergeant Jez Prior, of Chichester Police, said: ''This was a tragic accident, and our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family.

''I would urge anyone who has a concrete birdbath, sundial or other heavy garden ornament, to ensure that it cannot be pulled off of its stand, or otherwise topple over.''