A woman was found dead in Ngau Tau Kok on Friday, with her young daughter discovered next to her body.

Police said housing officials, who suspected the girl, 3, was being mistreated in a flat in Lok Wah North Estate, called the force after 11am.

When officers arrived, they found the 40-year-old woman lying on a bed. She was certified dead at the scene.

The force said the girl did not suffer any ill treatment, and was taken to United Christian Hospital for examination.

They said the mother had an undisclosed illness, and an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of her death.

The case has been classified as "dead body found".