NEIGHBOURS of murdered prostitute Anneli Alderton spoke of their shock after news of her death spread around the port town of Harwich.The 24-year-old was yesterday revealed to be the third murdered woman after her body was discovered in woodland in Nacton on Sunday.

NEIGHBOURS of murdered prostitute Anneli Alderton spoke of their shock after news of her death spread around the port town of Harwich.

The 24-year-old was yesterday revealed to be the third murdered woman after her body was discovered in woodland in Nacton on Sunday.

Miss Alderton had a son Freddy, aged five, who lived with her mother Maire Alderton in Albert Street, Bathside.

Neighbour Eileen Woodford, 63, said: “I just can't believe what has happened. Anneli was a lovely-looking girl.

“She was extremely pretty and was always very neat and well-turned out. She was always very polite and would say hello.”

Mrs Woodford said Anneli had not lived at the home her mother shares with partner Tim Smith for a few months.

Miss Alderton's mother runs Bathside Stores on neighbouring Ingestre Street. She and Mr Smith were not at their three-storey terraced home yesterday.

Mrs Woodford added: “They are a lovely couple. Little Freddy is always there and he is such a lovely little boy.

“I can't believe he has lost his mum so close to Christmas. It is absolutely horrible.”

Mrs Woodford said she had no idea Anneli was working as a prostitute.

A man living opposite the home of Maire Alderton said that the events of the last few days were hard to believe.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: “It's a shame really, but if they had a safe place to work then maybe it wouldn't have happened.

“I still can't believe that if the police have been there for the last week, how something like this can happen?”