Police have cordoned off a village in the Quantock Hills in Somerset and arrested a man on suspicion of murder following the death of a woman in her 80s.
Both roads leading into the village of Broomfield were closed off to non-residents on Wednesday morning as police continued a murder investigation.
Four uniformed police officers and a forensics officer were seen behind the cordon on the westerly approach to the village. A forensics officer was seen appearing to enter an address close to the church.
Several police vehicles were parked in the village, including a mobile police station van, and a scientific investigations van.
On the eastern approach to Broomfield a cordon was being staffed by a police community support officer. The officer was unable to say when the cordon would be lifted.
The cordon on an unnamed country road near the village remained in place, though it was being lifted for some agricultural vehicles to pass through.
The police presence comes after the death of a woman in her 80s on Monday evening. Police responded to reports of a 'burglary in progress' and discovered the victim badly injured.
Despite the best efforts of police and paramedics, she died at the scene. The woman has yet to be named.
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Justin French said: “A cordon is in place while enquiries are carried out and there will be increased police activity in the area while a full and thorough investigation is carried out by our Major Crimes Investigations Team.
“We understand that events like this, while rare, may cause alarm and distress in the community. We would encourage anyone with any concerns to speak to our officers, who will be out on high-visibility patrols of the area, with any concerns and questions they may have.
“Alternatively, you can contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team.”
In a statement Avon and Somerset said: "If you have any information which could aid our investigation, and have yet to speak to officers, please call 101 and quote reference 5223071427 to the call handler."