Toddler found walking to nursery leads police to her mother's body

A toddler found making her way to nursery alone has led a PCSO to the body of her dead mother.

Nicolla Rushton, aged 30, was discovered after the young girl showed police the way back to her home.

The off-duty officer was driving in Burton-on-Trent when he spotted the girl walking down the road at around 11am last Wednesday.

When he stopped and went to speak to her, the toddler told the officer she was going to nursery and couldn't wake her mum up.

The PCSO and his wife took the youngster back to the property in Shobnall Road, where they found Ms Rushton dead.

Flowers have been left outside the home where the body was found. Credit: SWNS

Staffordshire Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious and that a file would be prepared for the coroner.

Chief Inspector Steve Maskrey said: "The officer and his wife took the time to look after the little girl and stay with her until emergency services arrived.

"Sadly nothing could be done to help the woman.

"My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time."

A police spokesman added: "It's a very sad sudden death."

West Midlands Ambulance Service said there was nothing that could be done to save Ms Rushton when they arrived at the scene.