A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl died after being knocked down by a van in front of her mother.

The tragedy happened as the toddler was standing on the pavement waiting with her family to cross Livesey Branch Road near the junction with Heys Lane, Blackburn.

The young victim, Demi Leigh Hitchen, suffered serious head injuries after the blue Ford Transit mounted the pavement and hit her just after 8pm last night.

Today the dead girl's uncle described her as "a little angel."

The girl - from Blackburn - was taken to the Blackburn Royal Infirmary where she and was pronounced dead on arrival.

The road was cordoned off for four hours while police carried out an accident investigation and the victim's family were being comforted by a police family liaison officer.

Elaine Slater, of Livesey Branch Road, said residents rushed out of their houses after hearing the mother's screams.

"I was sitting in my front room watching TV and heard a loud bang. The mother's screams were so loud that everyone went to investigate. I rushed outside but there were already people trying to help including a nurse. I am just shocked something like this can happen on your doorstep."

Inspector David Mangan, of Blackburn Police, said an investigation had been launched into what he termed an "utterly tragic incident."

"We were informed by the ambulance service just after 8pm of a collision involving a blue Ford Transit works van which had been driving along Livesey Branch Road towards Bolton Road.

"Near the junction of Heys Lane something caused that vehicle to swerve and mount the pavement and in doing so strike a three-year-old child who was with her mother at the time. We are appealing for witnesses to this utterly tragic accident."

An ambulance spokesman said: "We received a call at 8.06pm regarding an incident in Livesey Branch Road and reports that a child had been knocked down.

"An ambulance and a fast response car were sent. The girl possibly was dead at the scene but she was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital."

The toddler's mother and the van driver - who has not been named - were not injured in the collision.

Inspector Mangan confirmed the driver was the only occupant of the van and added: "Her is obviously very distraught. He will in due course be interviewed to ascertain his version of events.

"Just why this vehicle mounted the pavement will obviously one of the crucial lines of inquiry."

Anyone who witnessed the accident should contact Blackburn Police on 01254 51212.