A 79-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 55-year-old woman.

The woman, named locally as Emma Forrest, was pronounced dead at a house in Burgess Hill on Wednesday night.

Police were called following concerns for a woman at the house in Stonefield Way, Burgess Hill, where Mrs Forrest lives with her husband John Forrest, at around 10.15pm.

Paramedics battled to save the woman, performing CPR, and an air ambulance landed nearby before she was declared dead at the scene.

Sussex Police said a man known to the woman was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Her death is being treated as unexplained at this stage, police said.

Forensic investigators arrived at the house shortly before noon on Thursday to begin searching the house in a quiet cul-de-sac on the edge of Burgess Hill.

Neighbours said how shocked they were about the incident.

Mrs Forrest and her husband run a portable cabin rental business together.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Durkin said: “Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the woman at this incredibly difficult time.

“A man known to her has been arrested on suspicion of murder and our priority is to establish the full circumstances of this tragedy.

“We are treating it as an isolated incident with no threat to the wider community, and the public can expect to see a heightened police presence in the area as our enquiries continue.

“ Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting Operation Yelverton or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online."