A man has been found stabbed to death in his home.

It is believed airport worker Mike Ross, 44, died in the early hours of yesterday morning at the property in Loveletts, Gossops Green, Crawley. A 38-year-old woman has been arrested and spent the night in custody.

Mr Ross lived in the £180,000 house with his wife Andrea and 13-year-old stepdaughter.

The circumstances leading up to Mr Ross's death remained a mystery last night.

But a spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "Police are investigating the unexplained death of a 44-year-old man in Loveletts, Gossops Green. Crawley police and Sussex Ambulance were called to an address at about 12.30am yesterday.

"The post-mortem is being carried out and a 38-year-old woman is helping detectives with their inquiries."

She said the police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.

Mr Ross's death has sent shockwaves through the close-knit community.

Connie Powis, who lives next door to the family, said: "I can't get my head round it. It's so quiet here you don't expect something like this on your doorstep. They were a nice couple and their daughter played with my daughter. I'm not going to feel safe now."

Neighbours said Mr Ross worked shifts at Gatwick airport while Mrs Ross worked during the evenings as a cleaner.

Another couple, who did not wish to be named, said: "We were quite pally with both of them. Every time we saw them in the street we would stop and talk.

"We don't know what's going on."