A murder inquiry was launched today after the body of a mother-of-two was found at her luxury Sussex home.

Jillian Parnham, 38, was found in a pool of blood in the lounge of her detached house in Millmead, Ashington, near Storrington.

She had been beaten and had suffered severe head injuries.

A man in his thirties was arrested at the house and was being questioned by detectives today at Crawley police station.

Police were told there had been a break-in and officers found some of the rooms had been ransacked.

They were alerted by a 999 call from a neighbour 9.19pm yesterday.

The neighbour told how the victim's husband Mark, 36, had banged on his patio door, saying he and his wife were being attacked by two intruders.

When officers arrived there was no sign of any offender and an initial examination of the property suggested nothing had been stolen.

Two young boys in the house - aged 18 months and four years - were placed by social services in temporary foster care.

The homes in Millmead, a quiet cul-de-sac, were built about three years ago and prices ranged from £260,000 to £595,000. Most belong to professional couples, some with young children.

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator John Manvell, who lives in the street, said: "We are all shocked. I didn't know the woman very well. They kept themselves to themselves."

Another neighbour, Gerald Marsh, 52, said: "They didn't seem to talk or make conversation about anything. There has not been any shouting and bawling from homes in that area that I know of.

"You don't expect anything like this here. It's very quiet."

Steve Tiernan, landlord of the Red Lion pub, said he had hosted two parties for the couple, who were both teachers at Millais School in Horsham. She taught maths and he taught art and design.

Mr Tiernan said: "They were a quiet couple but you could have a joke with them and they were always very friendly. It was always a pleasure to serve them. They were the ideal customers."

The couple had a party for 15 friends on December 15 at the pub and a children's party two weeks ago.

The murder inquiry is being headed by Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Moore.

He said: "The investigation is at an early stage and we are carrying out house-to-house inquiries."

The house was taped off by police today and an incident room has been set up at Crawley police station.

A post-mortem examination was to be carried out this afternoon.