POLICE have launched a murder investigation - as neighbours named a woman found dead at home in mysterious circumstances as 51 year old Julie Fox.

West Mercia Police launched a major investigation after a woman was found dead at a house in Carnforth Drive, Warndon, in "unexplained and suspicious" circumstances.

The woman's next of kin have been informed but she has not yet been formally identified.

Residents on Carnforth Drive, which has largely been cordoned off, revealed she lived alone and was disabled and confined to a mobility scooter.

Chief Superintendent Mark Travis from West Mercia Police said: "We are working to establish the circumstances of this death, which is currently being investigated as a murder.

"Police remain at the scene and there will be increased patrols in the area whilst investigations continue.

"We are appealing to anyone in the community who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area between 22 December and 27 December to please come forward or speak with a local officer.

"Anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, may help with the investigation.

"Our thoughts are with the woman's family and friends and those members of the local community, at this difficult time."

One local, who didn't want to be named, said: "Her name was Julie. I didn't know her too well, but if she walked down the street then I would recognise her.

"As far as I know she was disabled, I think she would often use a mobility scooter. I saw her from time to time sat on it.

"I don't know of anyone else living there, I've never seen anyone else coming out of that house before."

Mark Baton, 52, said: "It's really shocking that something like this has happened here, it's a quiet road.

"I don't know the woman that lives there, but I can't see why anyone would want to cause her any trouble.

"Everybody keeps themselves to themselves round here, so I'd be surprised if anyone on this row of houses were involved in it."

A 42-year-old woman who has lived on the street for seven years said: "It's all a bit unexplained, nobody knows what is going on.

"There have been police here all day, and people were going door-to-door this morning asking us about it.

"They asked us whether we'd heard anything suspicious from Christmas Eve, so they are being very thorough.

"The woman is called Julie, I'd see her walking up and down the street sometimes. She tended to be out walking by herself."

West Mercia Police said they are awaiting the outcome of a post-mortem.

Emergency services were called to a property on Carnforth Drive, in Worcester, and discovered a body shortly before 6.50pm on Wednesday.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to phone West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident number 597s of 27 December 2017. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

How the news broke: Report of body found in 'mysterious circumstances'