An elderly woman died in a fire at her bungalow early yesterday.

A dozen firefighters were called to the property in Priory Road, Eastbourne, following a 999 call to police from a neighbour at about 5.40am.

They arrived to find the unnamed woman, who is believed to have been in her 80s, dead in the lounge.

It is understood she lived alone.

Police scenes of crime officers and a fire investigation team were at the bungalow yesterday searching for clues to the cause of the blaze.

A Sussex Police spokesman said initial inquiries suggested it started accidentally and it was not being treated as suspicious.

One theory to be investigated is whether discarded lighting materials such as a candle sparked the fire.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it was too early to draw conclusions.

The police spokesman said: "We have sealed off the property while investigations by scenes of crime and a fire investigation officer are carried out."

He said a post-mortem examination would be carried out to determine the cause of death and an inquest would be held.

The office of East Sussex coroner Alan Craze has been informed.

Neighbours in the busy road where the fire happened said the victim lived alone after being widowed.

One said: "I didn't know the old lady but I believe her husband who passed away some years ago used to come through my till at Tesco in Langney.

"Another woman I know also said she lived there alone.

"The first thing I noticed when I came up here walking my dog were all the fire engines outside.

"It's terrible."

There were no external signs of smoke or fire damage to the red-brick bungalow yesterday.

A front window had been left open to ventilate the front room.

The property is almost directly opposite Bishop Bell Church of England School and close to allotment plots.

Forensic teams in blue suits were continuing to examine the bungalow yesterday.