A murder inquiry was launched today after the body of a woman was discovered at her home near Brighton.

The woman, in her 40s, is believed to have died from stab wounds suffered at the detached bungalow in Cissbury Avenue, Peacehaven.

A man in his late 40s sustained minor knife wounds to the stomach and was under police guard at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

Two children at the house, aged 11 and seven, were being cared for by relatives.

An ambulance crew was called to the home shortly after 7am today. Paramedics then alerted police.

Officers discovered the body as the man was being taken away to hospital.

The woman is believed to have worked as a nurse at Newhaven Health Centre for a time.

Today two police officers guarded the taped off bungalow where the body was found. Other officers made house-to-house inquiries.

Scenes of crimes officers arrived at 9.30am and spent the morning combing the property for clues.

One neighbour who did not want to be identified said: "I have been here six years myself and the couple have been there all of that time. This is dreadful.

"They were very quiet, kept themselves to themselves. We were on nodding terms with them but she was nice to talk to and we chatted about the children a few times - but I didn't even know her name."

Edward Shipsey, who has lived in the street since 1979, said: "This is a bit of a street of drama. Ten years ago there was a man with a gun who had to brought under control by police near where this has happened."

An incident room has been set up and police have appealed for witnesses to call them on 0845 6070999.