The body of a woman was discovered in the sitting room of a burning farmhouse.

Jean Wood, a retired school teacher from Midhurst, died in the blaze at Treyford, near Harting.

Forensic experts no longer believe the cause of the fire was suspicious, but say they are continuing their investigations.

Fire crews from West Sussex and Hampshire were called to the blaze just before 3pm on Friday after the fire was spotted by a walker on the South Downs.

They discovered the body in the sitting room, but their efforts to recover her body were hampered when the roof collapsed and they were forced to flee.

The body was recovered yesterday after the fire had been brought under control.