A five-year-old girl, who died after her head became trapped in a lift in a house, has been named in reports as Alexys Brown.

Police were called at 11.58am on Thursday after the girl became stuck at an address in Emmadale Close, Weymouth.

Emergency services attended the incident but the girl was pronounced dead at the scene.

The five-year-old is believed to be the youngest daughter of Lorraine and Matthew Brown, both 30.

They have two other children - a daughter, nine, and a disabled son, 11.

Alexys' parents both posted pictures of the youngster on social media, which led to a host of online tributes from friends and family.

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police said the force was called to the property by Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.

"Police officers, paramedics and firefighters attended but sadly a five-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene," she said.

"Her family have been informed and the coroner notified.

"Emmadale Close has been closed to allow emergency services to deal with the incident and for scenes of crime investigators to carry out an examination.

"An investigation, led by Bournemouth CID, has been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the death."

A spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said: "We received an alert at 11:52 to a young child trapped in a lift at Emmadale Close in Weymouth.

"Crews from Weymouth and Portland attended the scene, assisting the ambulance service and police.

"Once the lift was stabilised, the child was removed using small specialist cutting equipment."

The girl was then dealt with by paramedics from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service declared the incident over at 12.15pm, the spokesman added.

The property where the incident took place is a two-storey house with a disabled ramp outside.

A spokeswoman for Dorset County Council confirmed the authority had not installed the lift at the property.

"It was existing equipment at the house when the family moved in," the spokeswoman added.

Neighbours have spoken of their devastation at the news of the death of the girl.

Notes left with flowers and a teddy bear at the front of the end-of-terrace house speak of the loss of a "princess".

One note said: "Alexis, rest in peace."

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "I am devastated, they are a kind, loving family."

Another resident said: "I think it has hit everyone really hard."