A man has been arrested after the death of a nine-year-old girl who was found with serious injuries in Arbroath.

Officers were called to the town’s Elliot Industrial Estate shortly after midnight.

The girl, from West Yorkshire, was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where she later died.

A 35-year-old white British man, who police say was known to the child, has been arrested in connection with her death, which is being treated as suspicious.

Police Scotland said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with her death.

It said the other members of the family, who were camping in the area, are being supported by specialist officers.

It is understood that no one else was injured.

A police forensics tent has been erected at the scene and a cordon has been put in place.

Police Scotland said the girl’s family were being supported by specialist officers and inquiries were continuing.

Karen Youngson said she had picked up her friend from the gym on the estate at about 22:15 on Sunday and had seen a small tent and some camping chairs.

She said: “When I first went up there, I was like my goodness why is there a tent there?

“There were two camping chairs, that’s all I saw, but it was the amount of rubbish, it was unbelievable.”

When she returned from collecting her friend, she said they had to slow down to avoid a baby seagull on the road.

She said: “It was dark, there was no noise coming from the place, it wasn’t like there were lights or anyone sitting outside.”

A man who works on the industrial estate, who did not want to be named, said he had seen a small tent with a car parked beside it at about 18:15 on Sunday.

He said he had seen a man and woman and two children there, either making or clearing up food.

The man said that when he passed the tent about 30 minutes later, the people were still there.

He said: “I thought it was a pretty strange place to camp, especially given the beach at Elliot which is two minutes away and is obviously a bit more picturesque.”

Arbroath East and Lunan councillor Lois Speed said it was a “heartbreaking morning.”

She said: “I think everybody is just feeling at a loss for words, because it is just devastating.

“I have not spoken to anyone directly but (from) the social media shares and comments, everyone is just shocked and saddened.

“I think everyone’s thoughts are with those directly impacted, the wee girl, her family and everyone close.

“Everyone will be thinking of them and how difficult this must be.”