The eight year old girl found dead at her home in Chadwell Heath has been described as “happy” and “skippy” by shocked neighbours.

Ambulances were called to Bedwell Court, in Broomfield Road this morning but she was sadly found dead at the scene shortly after 11.30am.

A 34-year-old woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries and has since been arrested and remanded in custody at an east London police station.

A police spokesman said: “On arrival, officers discovered the body of an eight-year-old girl.

“We believe it was a domestic incident. Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.”

The Metropolitan Police’s Homicide and Serious Crime Command is investigating the death, which is being treated as suspicious.

The little girl has not been formally identified and her cause of death will be established at a post mortem after the body is removed from the flat.

Forensics are currently at the scene and the area around the ground floor flat has been cordoned off.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said two women and a younger boy, thought to be her brother, lived with the girl.

He said: “They just moved in a couple of months ago.

“I used to see her running around on the grass while the two women smoked.”

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “She was lovely. She was so happy and skippy. They were very quiet.”

Call 101 with information or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.