A pensioner is being quizzed over the murder of an elderly woman found dead at her Birmingham home.

The woman, named by neighbours as 71-year-old Mary Ford, was discovered at the address on Burford Park Road, West Heath, when police forced entry at about 8pm on Monday.

Detectives were today continuing to quiz an 82-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering Mrs Ford, who was described as “a lovely, kind lady”.

Shocked residents said they believed the man, who was arrested a mile away at a house in Bomers Field, Rednal, was a close friend of the dead woman.

“We’re shocked,” said Eileen Moclair, aged 73. “I was talking to her on Saturday and she seemed very happy.

“She had so much energy for a woman of her age and used to go dancing with friends a couple of times a week. She had been separated from her husband for some time.

“A gentleman would visit her and they would often go out on a Sunday.”

The house in Burford Park Road remained sealed off with a police officer on guard and a forensic shelter standing in the front garden.

Residents said officers used a battering ram to break down the front door.

The second address in Bomers Field was also sealed off. Neighbours said they saw police arrive on Monday and lead a man to an unmarked car.