The devastated aunt of a toddler who died after falling from a first-floor window has spoken of her family's grief.

Three-year-old Leonilda Veall, known by her family as Nilda, of Western Road, St Leonards, died after tumbling 15ft on to concrete at a house in Churchdale Road, Eastbourne, last Wednesday.

The toddler, who would have been four in a few weeks' time, had been with her father and his partner visiting friends.

Her aunt, Tomasina Brittain, said: "We are devastated at the loss of Nilda which leaves a tremendous emptiness in our lives which will never be replaced.

"Now is the time for us to grieve in private. We would hope the Press will recognise our immense loss and leave us to heal from this tragic accident."

Nilda was discovered lying unconscious in the back garden of the terraced house and taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital.

She was airlifted by the Sussex Police helicopter to Atkinson Morley's Hospital in London, which specialises in head injuries.

The following afternoon her family made the decision to switch off life support following advice.

Police launched an immediate investigation into the child's death and cordoned off the house while a forensic team scoured the back garden.

A police guard was stationed outside until late in the evening while investigations were completed.

Detective Superintendent Dick Barton said the death was a great tragedy and was not being treated as suspicious following a post-mortem examination on Friday.

He said: "Our thoughts are with Nilda's family at this sad time."

A four-minute inquest was opened and adjourned at Eastbourne Magistrates Court yesterday.

Coroner Brendan Salsbury said: "Identification was made by her grandfather, Leonard Veall, who identified her to police officers.

"The cause of death was a head injury. A full inquest will heard later."