A murder investigation has been launched after a woman was found dead at a house.

Tributes have been paid to the woman, named locally as Claire, who is believed to have been in her thirties.

Paramedics were unable to resuscitate the woman when they were called to the house in Orme Road, Worthing, at 11am yesterday.

When The Argus went to press, a 39- year-old man remained in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

However, police said last night the death was being treated as ‘unexplained’.

Officers immediately attended the address and found the victim unconscious and she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Tributes were paid by residents in the street last night, describing the woman as “lovely” and “very pleasant”.

Chas Meanley, 67, who lives next door to the property where the woman was found, said: “She moved in about a year ago.

“She would always say hello when I saw her out.

“I saw two ambulances outside the house at about 11am. Paramedics went in with an oxygen cylinder and resuscitation kit.

“It’s all very sad.”

Another neighbour who asked not to be named added: “She was quiet but very pleasant.

“I only knew her as Claire. She was lovely.”

Crime scene investigators were in from 2pm yesterday and last night three officers guarded the front of the property.

A police spokeswoman said: “Although we have someone in custody, it is still very early into the investigation.

“We are trying to establish what happened overnight and this morning at the address and are following up all possible lines of enquiry.

“The cause of death is not known at this time and a post mortem to ascertain how the victim died will be carried out in due course. We cannot speculate on what happened at this early stage but will continue with our inquiries.”