MYSTERY surrounds the death of a six-year-old girl at her Ribble Valley home.

A doctor and an ambulance crew were called to the Whalley home of Elizabeth Bentley, the daughter of Clitheroe police officer Jane Bentley, early yesterday.

But the Whalley CE Primary School pupil died before being taken to hospital.

Her death has left staff and fellow pupils "stunned and shocked."

And police colleagues of Elizabeth's mum are said to be numb with disbelief by the death.

John Marsden, district ambulance manager covering Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, said: "We received a call that a child was suffering from a cardiac or respiratory arrest.

"We arrrived at the scene at 6.45am and a doctor was already present.

"She was pronounced dead at the scene." Inspector Les Martin, of Clitheroe Police, said officers were thinking of their colleague.

"We are all absolutely numb. It is such a tragedy. Jane and her family are in all our thoughts," he said.

Elizabeth's death has been reported to coroner Andre Rebello and an inquest is expected to be opened.

A post mortem examination has been carried out and her death is not being treated as suspicious. Three children at Whalley Primary School suffered meningitis last winter but a spokesman for Lancashire Education Authority said today staff at the school had not been advised of any precautions that needed to be taken regarding the health of other children, following Elizabeth's death.

Elizabeth was described by Whalley CE Primary School head teacher Brian Beresford as "a happy child who lived life to the full."

He said: "It is with deep regret that the staff and governors of Whalley School learned of the death of Elizabeth at home yesterday. We express our sincere condolances to her family."

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