THE body of a murder victim may have lain undiscovered at a Sussex beauty spot for a month, police said today.

The woman, between 30 and 45, was found in dense undergrowth 20 yards from a footpath between Arundel and Amberley yesterday.

The woman, who has not yet been identified, is thought to have been strangled and left at the spot around Christmas-time.

It is thought her killer took her body from a car and threw it on to a steep slope, where it rolled into undergrowth.

A post mortem examination found the woman had been strangled, either with hands or a scarf.

A red Metro was found

abandoned at a nearby car park and police say connections have not yet been ruled out.

Det Insp Alan Ladley, heading the investigation, said: "We would like to hear from anyone who may have been concerned about a friend or relative they have not seen since around Christmas.

"So far we do not know who the woman was or the motive for her killing.

"We believe the lady was not hidden in the undergrowth but probably rolled down the slope. "

Thirty officers have been assigned to the investigation, codenamed Operation Gazelle and based at Bognor.

Det Insp Ladley added that the police have no reason to think the woman came from outside the area.

When her body was discovered she was wearing Berkelex clothing, which is available at the Littlewoods store in Bognor. The woman also had a scar on the back of her right hand.

She was 5ft 3in tall and of proportionate built. She had short, dark brown hair, which was slightly grey and had been dyed a reddish colour.

Anyone with information should call the incident room at Bognor on 0845 6070999.

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