POLICE are today continuing to quiz a Suffolk councillor who they arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of his long-term partner was found at her Brandon home.

POLICE are today continuing to question a Suffolk councillor who they arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of his long-term partner was found at her Brandon home.

Peter Wackett, 60, who serves on Forest Heath District Council, is being held at Bury St Edmunds police station after detectives went to a Brandon address on Thursday morning.

He was being questioned in connection with the sudden death of 46-year-old Ann North.

Her body was discovered by Mr Wackett at a house in Rought Avenue, Brandon, at around 4.30pm on Wednesday .

The news has shocked the close-knit community which knew Ms North as the former landlady of the Five Bells pub on Brandon's Market Hill.

"This is going to have a huge effect on the town, and a lot of people will be very distressed by this news," said Reg Silvester, who serves as a councillor alongside Mr Wackett.

Ms North, originally from Leeds, ran the Greene King pub with Mr Wackett for five years before new tenants took over on Monday .

Local people said the couple, who have no children, had planned to buy property in Romania and emigrate to the country.

Mr Wackett has served on Forest Heath District Council for four years and represents the Brandon West ward for the Conservative group.

"I am sure this will come as a great surprise to all the licencees in the local area, who obviously would like to pass their condolences to the family," said Chris Poplawski , landlord of the Flintknapper's Arms, which neighbours the Five Bells on Market Hill.

"It has come as a huge shock, and this news is a great shame. It must be a very stressful time for Ms North's relatives."

A post-mortem examination was carried out at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital on Thursday to ascertain a cause of death. A Suffolk Police spokesman said yesterday that further tests were to be conducted.

A spokesman for Forest Heath District Council said: "We are aware of this arrest and cannot comment any further."