There will be no criminal proceedings against a woman arrested after a three-year-old girl drowned in a hotel pool, prosecutors have said.

Jane Bell, from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, died after getting into difficulty at the Dalmeny Hotel in Lytham St Annes on August 14 this year.

A 40-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder and neglect.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now reviewed material about the incident "in detail" and said there will be no criminal proceedings against her.

Joanna White, Senior Crown Prosecutor, Complex Casework Unit, CPS North West, said: "Jane Bell died in Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on the 14th August 2014 after an incident in a swimming pool at Dalmeny Hotel, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire.

"A 40-year-old woman was arrested and following their enquiries Lancashire Police referred the case to the CPS.

"I have carefully considered all the material they submitted including a number of witness statements and CCTV footage from the hotel and I have concluded that there should be no criminal proceedings against her in connection with the death."

She added: "I would like to offer my sincere sympathies to Jane Bell's family on their sad loss in such tragic circumstances."

An inquest will now follow, she said.

Police said that the 40-year-old woman has now been released from police bail and told she will face no further action.

Detective Chief Inspector Dean Holden said: "This case involved the tragic death of a three-year-old girl and first and foremost my thoughts remain with Jane's family.

"We carried out a full and thorough investigation into all the circumstances and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, with whom we have worked closely throughout this case, there will be no further action taken against the 40-year-old woman and the police investigation is now closed and we will now provide the Coroner with all the relevant information for inquest."