A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a three-year-old girl, police have said.

Officers were called to a property in Fordingbridge, a gateway town to the New Forest national park, on Thursday night after a report of “a concern for welfare”, Hampshire police said.

A three-year-old girl was taken to Salisbury district hospital but was pronounced dead later in the evening.

A 35-year-old woman from Fordingbridge was arrested, Hampshire police said, with a spokeswoman confirming she had been detained on suspicion of murder.

“Police are making inquiries into the circumstances of the girl’s death,” the force said.

A neighbour, who did not wish to give his name, said the child’s death was “sickening” news.

“It’s a complete tragedy. We do not know what happened, there was absolutely no indication that anything was wrong, we didn’t know of any issues,” he said. “It’s just thoroughly sad, our sympathies go to the family, it’s quite sickening.”

A police spokeswoman said the suspect was treated at the scene by paramedics but did not need to go to hospital.

A dog trainer, who two years ago worked with a spaniel owned by the dead girl’s mother, said: “I didn’t have many dealings with them but they were a pleasant family. Their little girl was just a baby at the time.”

A dog walker said the brick bungalow – which has been cordoned off by police – was occupied by a woman and her young daughter. The man, who did not wish to be named, said he would often see the girl playing in the front garden when he walked past.

“The mother would say hello and I would see the little girl out playing in the summer. She used to be out in their garden in a paddling pool.”

A spokeswoman for South Central ambulance service said two ambulances and an air ambulance were dispatched to the house at 6.46pm and the girl was driven to hospital.

“The adult patient was assessed and treated at the scene but not taken to hospital. The young child was assessed and treated at the scene and taken to Salisbury district hospital in a life-threatening condition,” she said.

