A murder investigation has been launched after a woman's body was found in a pond.

The woman, in her early 40s, was discovered in the drainage pond in Dallington Road, Eastbourne, at 4.10pm yesterday. Police believe she had been there since Friday.

The investigation was being led by Detective Chief Inspector Martyn Underhill.

He said: "Initial evidence suggests this woman probably died between 11am and 4pm on Friday, the day the England team lost their World Cup chance.

"We know there were a lot of people who took the day off work and would appeal to the public to think carefully if they saw anything in the Hampden Park area of Eastbourne which may have been suspicious."

A post mortem examination was being carried out by a Home Office pathologist today.

The identity of the woman was due to be released this afternoon.

A police forensic examination team was investigating and a police guard remained at the scene.

A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and was today being questioned at the police station in Grove Road, Eastbourne.