A little girl died after hanging herself with a hairband in a freak accident, an inquest heard.

Paige Brown, four, had tried to free the band, which was tied to a toy hammock in her bedroom in Hawkinge, near Folkestone.

It is thought she had stood on a stool to reach it when the accident happened, a coroner at Ashford heard.

Rachel Redman, who recorded an accidental death verdict, told Paige’s parents Lorraine Ford and Phil Brown: "This is no other than an entirely unpredictable and freakish accident.

"It was an entirely unusual set of circumstances in what was a very ordinary bedroom for a little girl." She also told the parents: "I can’t begin to imagine your pain."

Paige had tied the band to the hammock while playing in her room in Blenheim Drive on New Year’s Day. Mr Brown had found her in her bedroom and tried to revive her while Miss Ford dialled 999.

Police first arrived at the scene and took over trying to resuscitate the little girl, followed by paramedics. She died later at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

Det Sgt Chris Benson told the inquest: "She was trying to release the headband and got caught in it. This is very unusual, almost freaky in nature."

For the full story, see next Thursday's Kentish Express.