TRIBUTES have been paid to a "cheeky chappie" nine-year-old after a man was arrested on suspicion of his murder.

Little Alfie Scott was found in a critical condition by cops in a house in Droitwich, Worcestershire at around 3pm on Thursday.

He was airlifted to hospital but medics were unable to save him.

A man, 39, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

A 33-year-old woman is being quizzed on suspicion of child neglect.

Alfie lived in the modern three-bedroom home with his mum Carla Scott, 33, who had recently got engaged, and his three siblings aged between four and 12.

Horrified neighbours have said the youngster, who was a member of The Boys' Brigade, was carried out of the property "lifeless" by a medic.

Jamie Morris, 30, said: “I saw him carry Alfie’s body out. He looked lifeless – it was so sad.

“He was such a lovely lad. I’d see him playing outside my house all the time.

“Alfie used to play in the car park, he was cracking little kid. He would wave at me while I played on the PlayStation. He didn’t deserve what happened. It’s such a shame, it’s just awful."

A friend added: "Carla was standing at the front window just looking blank and was just staring straight ahead."

Tributes have also flooded in from family and friends for the "massive" Arsenal fan, who attended Witton Middle School.

One woman said: "RIP cheeky chappy who always had a smile on his face!!!

"Shine bright in the stars…good night and god bless xxxxx you are going to be missed".

A resident added: "All the kids were lovely and Alfie was very well mannered and polite.

"It's absolutely horrific what has happened to him."

Police confirmed an investigation has been launched into Alfie's "unexplained" death and confirmed he was not stabbed in relation to earlier reports.

Forensics officers were seen combing for clues in an upstairs bedroom of the house last night, while locals were told to avoid the area.

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DI Ed Slough, said: “This is a tragic incident that has seen a young boy lose his life and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this awful time.

"We are currently treating the boy’s death as unexplained and are carrying out enquiries to establish the circumstances.”

He continued: “The death of a child this age can have a huge impact on his family and his friends. We are supporting his family with specially trained officers, and if any of his friends or young people in the area are affected by this unfortunate death please seek out support from specialist child bereavement charities such as https://www.childbereavementuk.org/”

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