A man was arrested today on suspicion of the manslaughter of his 18-month-old niece who was mauled to death by his dog in the kitchen of her home.

The toddler suffered severe facial injuries when she was attacked by the mastiff dog at the house in Cotton Walk, Broadfield, Crawley, at about midday today.

Sussex Police said the girl was in the kitchen of the property with her three-year-old sister, mother and grandmother when the incident happened.

The 32-year-old uncle was not at the address at the time but was arrested by police when he arrived shortly after.

Police were called to the scene after receiving reports that the girl had suffered head injuries and was unconscious.

She was rushed to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, Surrey, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out tomorrow to establish exactly how she died.

Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Bowles, of Sussex Police, said: "This is a truly appalling incident which has led to the death of a young 18-month-old child.

"My team will be working tirelessly to ensure that the truth of exactly what happened and how is established in the coming days.

"As part of the inquiry officers are in the process of identifying the breed of the dog which is believed to be a type of mastiff.

"The dog is being securely held by Sussex Police."

DCI Bowles, who is leading the inquiry, said at the scene: "We are establishing exactly what breed the dog is, and that dog is currently in secure kennel accommodation in Sussex.

"The man in custody does live at these premises.

"We've taken three other dogs away as well."

A police spokesman said that the arrested man remains in custody while he is questioned by officers.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said that he believed the man involved owned two dogs and was often seen walking them in the area.

He said: "The bloke himself is absolutely spot on, the dogs are well looked after, I don't know what type they are, all I know is that they are big.

"I am surprised this is what has happened, my little one strokes his dogs.

"He's not one of those guys who has a dog because it's a status symbol, he loves his dogs and he walks them miles, the dogs are walked every day.

"The guy is lovely, he's not a guy who has got dogs because it makes him feel 'Mr Man'."

A resident on the estate where it happened, Connor Maugham, 60, said: "I've seen the dog around, it seemed very placid.

"The community is in shock."

Another neighbour, who declined to give his name, said: "It's tragic and we don't want to talk about it. It's so sad. They have lost a child.

"They are our neighbours and very good neighbours and whatever has happened is a total accident.

"I don't agree with the arrest that's been made. They've arrested somebody who should be comforting the family."

Forensics officers tonight were seen going in and out of the house which is on a small estate a few miles from the town centre.

A female police officer stood guard at the rear of the house, where a police tape was stretched across a dark-coloured van outside a garage.

Neighbours were emerging from their homes but said they were too shocked to talk.