A LITTLE GIRL has died in a freak accident at her Gosport home.

Nicola Womack, who would have been two on November 4, was found hanging by her dress from a ground-floor window by her mother on Friday afternoon.

Despite efforts by her 19-year-old mother and paramedics Nicola, of Lindbergh Close, Rowner, was pronounced dead at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.

Police were called by the hospital to look into the circumstances surrounding Nicola's death.

Detective Inspector Clive Merrett said Nicola's mother and father were being comforted by relatives.

A post-mortem examination showed Nicola had died from asphyxiation, but police have decided there were no suspicious circumstances.

"We have concluded that it was a tragic accident - everything has shown that she was a healthy, lively young girl who was well looked after," said DI Merrett.

Nicola was in the house with her mother when the accident happened at about 2pm last Friday.

DI Merrett said her mother, who has not been named, realised she had not heard her daughter for a while and went to find her.

"Not finding her in any of the rooms she looked out of the window and saw her hanging from a ground-floor bedroom window."

He said Nicola's dress had apparently become caught on a catch, pulling tight round her neck.

DI Merrett said: "Both mother and father are obviously traumatised as a result of what has happened and are staying with relatives."

He said an inquest would be held into Nicola's death.