A little girl has become the first person to die from swine flu in Brighton and Hove.

Tests carried out on the unnamed four-year-old from Brighton have shown the youngster lost her life after developing complications as a direct result of the virus.

The youngster, who had no underlying health problems, was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after falling ill in November and passed away shortly afterwards.

Health bosses today urged people to stay calm, be aware of the symptoms of Swine flu and to get vaccinated as soon as they were invited to.

The city's director of public health, Tom Scanlon, said: “We can confirm results have shown that a child who died in Brighton last November died as a result of H1N1 Influenza, also known as swine flu.

“Our thoughts are with the child’s family and friends, and we would urge everyone to respect their privacy during this difficult and tragic time.

“This is tragic evidence of how serious swine flu can be and why we should not be complacent.

“Although the majority of people in Sussex, who have become unwell with swine flu, have only experienced mild symptoms, it can have a much more serious and tragic effect and claim lives.

“Swine flu is present in the community and we would encourage everyone to be aware of its symptoms and what to do if you or a member of your family becomes unwell.

“We are also working hard to offer the swine flu vaccine to everyone at risk of developing serious complications.

If you think that your child, or a member of your family, may have swine flu, click here for our swine flu section, including links to all the official websites you need to make an informed decision.