Friends and neighbours have paid tribute to an ‘amazing’ little girl who died on Monday afternoon.

The emergency services were called to six-year-old Ellie Butler’s home, on the Shanklin Estate, to reports of her collapsing.

She was taken to a south London hospital where she was pronounced dead at 4pm.

It is understood Ellie lived with her dad Ben Butler, her mum Jennie Gray and her little sister in a flat in Westover Close.

Friends and neighbours paid tribute to Ellie who has been described as a polite and well-mannered little girl.

Les and Pauline Cameron said: “I would like to pay a tribute to little Ellie. Who was such an amazing little girl. Who used to scooter down our road on the way to school.

“So sad. God bless little Ellie. Rest in peace.”

Samantha Harvey said: “How very sad this is.  Having watched Ellie grow-up such a happy, lovely little girl who used to skip along and wave and say hello.

“The news that she is now gone forever is the saddest.  RIP Beautiful Ellie. Never forgotten.”

Gemma Cameron said: “RIP angel. No-one should go through what you have. You’re free now. Fly high with the angels.”

Your Local Guardian:

A police cordon was set up on the estate

Dee said: “We are a family of four who live on the Shanklin Estate and we are deeply shocked and saddened by the death off this little girl.

“Our thoughts are with her mother and sister at this hard time.”

Officers from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating her death – which police are treating as unexplained.

Next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination will be held tomorrow.

A 33-year-old man, believed to be her father, has been arrested in connection with the investigation and remains in custody at a south London police station.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called by London Ambulance Service shortly after 15.35hrs on Monday, 28 October, regarding a six-year-old girl found collapsed at an address in Sutton.

“She was taken to a south London hospital where she pronounced dead at 16.01hrs. Next of kin are aware.

“A post-mortem examination will be held on Thursday, 31 October. A venue is to be arranged in due course.

“Officers from the Homicide and Major Crime Command investigate.

“Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death which at this early stage is being treated as unexplained.

“A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this investigation and remains in custody at a south London police station.”

If you would like to pay tribute to Ellie email ssleigh@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 020 8722 6358.