POLICE are investigating today after the body of a teenage girl was found in a secluded patch of Hampshire woodland.

The 16-year-old, who has not been named, was discovered hanging at Lincolns Copse to the north of Eastleigh.

A dog walker made the harrowing discovery early yesterday morning in a wooded area near Boyatt Lane.

Police taped off the beauty spot at around 6.40am yesterday and ambulance crews and forensics were called in shortly afterwards.

Detectives say they are not treating the death as suspicious. They have not revealed the identity of the youngster, who is believed to be from the Eastleigh area, or when the tragedy happened.

According to police, her closest relatives had yet to be notified last night. A post-mortem examination is expected to take place this week to find out how she died.

Dog walkers were told to stay away from the scene while detectives went about their work.

Neighbours close to the quiet woodland copse told of their shock as the incident unfolded yesterday morning.

One woman, who did not want to be named, said: "We didn't know what was going on as there were so many police cars here. Officers wouldn't tell us what happened.

"We never usually have this kind of police activity. It's normally so quiet."

Last night, a pathway through the woods was still sealed off with police tape stretched between two trees.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: "Detectives are currently investigating the death of a teenage girl found in woods on the outskirts of Boyatt Wood on Tuesday morning.

"Officers were called to the area at 6.40am after a member of the public reported finding the body.

"Detectives are now investigating the circumstances that led to the girl's death, which is not being treated as suspicious.

"Next of kin have still not been notified and formal identification procedures have not yet been completed.

"A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish the cause of death and a report will be submitted to the coroner."