A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl who suffered a drugs overdose at her home has died in hospital -- and police were today questioning her parents.

Natalia Mujahid, of Notre Dame Gardens, Blackburn, died just before midnight yesterday. Her one-year-old brother Darnish was today still critical at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.

Police said the children suffered a drugs overdose in the early hours of yesterday. Blood toxicology tests are believed to have shown the drug may have been the heroin substitute methadone.

The children's 27-year-old father and 24-year-old mother have been arrested and were due to be questioned today.

House-to-house inquiries were carried out in the area around the house by police last night.

Neighbours were shocked and horrified by the news, according to resident Dorothy Holt, who previously worked with the children's mum, Shadar Mujahid.

Ms Holt, who lives only yards from the family, said: "Shadar is one of the most loving people and her husband is one of the most doting dads. Shadar is devoted to her children, she will be devastated by this."

Ms Holt said she worked with Mrs Mujahid at packaging firm Strategy, near Padiham, before they became neighbours. The firm refused to comment today.

She said Mrs Mujahid, who previously lived in Whitewell Place, off Whalley Range, met her husband Asad during a visit to Pakistan about four years ago. The couple then moved to Notre Dame Gardens when they were expecting Natalia and Mrs Mujahid became a full-time mum. Ms Holt said Asad Mujahid worked as an embroiderer for a textile firm. She said: "He works every hour God sends, he has never had a day off work.

"They are a very responsible young couple. It doesn't make sense."

Ms Holt said there had been problems with dealers using the canalside to sell drugs and many neighbourhood children had been playing in the street the day before Natalia and Darnish became ill.

She said: "Children do pick things up off the ground and eat them, so perhaps Natalia picked them up outside."

Natalia is believed to have attended nearby Church Hill House Day Nursery, run by Blackburn with Darwen Social Services department.

Staff at the nursery refused to comment.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's director of social services Ken Foote said the department would be working with police on the case.

He said: "In tragic circumstances like this, social services work closely with the police in order to protect the interests of the children."

Stephen Sloss, the council's assistant director for children and families, said: "This is a dreadful situation and we are working to establish the true facts.

" In the meantime, we are offering as much support to the family as they need."