Police are investigating the death of an elderly woman whose body was discovered by a neighbour.

Elsie Cook, 89, was found dead at her home in London Road, Hastings, yesterday.

It is not clear how long she had been dead, but officers say they were concerned by marks on her body.

Police investigators spent the day looking for clues to the cause of her death.

Detective Superintendent Steve Scott, leading the investigation, said: "Whilst we are not treating this as a murder investigation, we are conducting full inquiries to establish how she died.

"All suspicious deaths are treated seriously until we can find the reason the person died and that is what we are here to establish."

Mrs Cook, who lived alone, was found in a chair in the kitchen when relatives called round.

Hastings police are still awaiting toxicology tests and the full findings of the post-mortem.

They are appealing for anyone who saw Mrs Cook in the last week to call them on 0845 6070999.