Girl, 15, arrested after death of seven-year-old in York Published duration 10 January 2017

image copyright PA image caption Floral tributes have been left close to where the girl's body was found

A 15-year-old girl has been arrested after the death of a seven-year-old girl in York.

The younger girl, who has been named in floral tributes as Katie, was found with life-threatening injuries in the Woodthorpe area of the city.

She was taken to hospital but died a short time later. Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding her death continue, said North Yorkshire Police.

The teenager remains in custody and is being questioned by officers.

Floral tributes have been left at the scene. In one, a card reads: "Night night my darling princess Katie. Love nana and grandad."

Police vehicles are at a semi-detached house about half a mile from the scene. The BBC believes this may be connected to the incident.

image copyright Getty Images image caption Police scientific officers are working at the scene near Alness Drive in the Woodthorpe area of York

Police said the seven-year-old was found near Alness Drive by officers at about 16:30 GMT on Monday.

Det Ch Insp Dave Ellis said officers had been carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area.

image copyright PA image caption The grandparents of the seven-year-old leave a floral tribute at the scene near Alness Drive

Labour MP for York Central and Shadow Environment Secretary Rachael Maskell said : "My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the little girl who has died from her injuries in York."

Earlier, the York City and East policing team posted a message about the incident.

In a tweet , they said: "Difficult late shift for all York staff with tragic death of a seven-year-old. Thoughts go out to family members."

image copyright PA image caption Det Ch Insp Dave Ellis told the press house-to-house enquiries had been carried out in the area

A grass track leading to a playing field has been sealed off by police with a white tent just beyond the cordon.

Rob McCartney, who lives in a house next to the track, said he came out of his home after hearing sirens and saw a woman shouting for an ambulance to be called.

"I put my shoes on and went to go up the alleyway. I got halfway up and I could see a body lying on the field, the police were already there attending," he said.

image copyright Getty Images image caption The seven-year-old girl was found on a playing field near Alness Drive

Local Lib Dem councillor Ashley Mason said people in the area were in shock.

"It's absolutely devastating," he said.

"It would have been an absolute shock to everybody who lives around here to wake up and hear what's gone on in York."

image copyright PA image caption One resident said he saw a body in the field