Police have launched a murder inquiry after a man's body was discovered in a quiet village.

Unarmed officers were called to the house in Ford Lane, Alresford, by ambulance crews at 9.34am yesterday (Tuesday). They found a man lying on the floor with a chest wound.

Despite efforts by paramedics the man, who was in his 50s and was believed to be the home owner, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Peter Laurie, Essex Police spokesman, said yesterday: "Police are on the scene and have cordoned the area off.

"There will be a post mortem examination."

The body was found inside a two-storey semi-detached council house in Ford Lane, close to Alresford Primary School.

An ambulance and three paramedics were outside the house, along with six police cars and about eight officers yesterday morning.

A total of 12 houses around the home where the body was discovered were cordoned off, but neighbours said they were unaware of any disturbance.

One woman neighbour said: "The first thing we knew was when two police cars turned up about 9.30am. We have seen nothing else and no-one has told us what is going on.

"People keep themselves to themselves round here - it's quite a quiet road. I don't know the neighbours up that end."

The police surgeon and forensic scientists were also called to the home to examine the body.

A woman has been arrested and was yesterday being questioned by police.

Investigation - paramedics and police at the house where the body was found.

Picture: STEVE ARGENT

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