A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder today after a 63-year-old woman's body was discovered near Woodbridge.It is believed gunshots were heard in the area of Meadow Cottage, off Lodge Road in the picturesque village of Great Bealings.

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder today after a 63-year-old woman's body was discovered near Woodbridge.

It is believed gunshots were heard in the area of Meadow Cottage, off Lodge Road in the picturesque village of Great Bealings.

Police are trying to contact the next of kin and until they have been informed no further

information about the victim will be released.

A 65-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is now being questioned at Ipswich police station.

Two people registered to be living at the address are Glenda and John Walker, although it is not known at this stage whether they were involved in the incident.

Today, people were shocked to hear of the murder in the sleepy village.

A 37-year-old former resident of the village, who asked not to be named, said: "It is a quiet village and I am surprised to hear of the murder. It is not something you would expect so close to home."

An ambulance was called to the scene but was stood down.

A post mortem is expected to be carried out as soon as possible by a Home Office pathologist.

Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, people brought in for questioning cannot normally be held for more than 24 hours before being charged or released.

If a serious offence is being investigated a senior police officer can authorise detention for a further 12 hours, which can be extended up to a total of 96 hours, but only with the approval of a magistrates' court.