Police outside the home where the body was found (above and below)

The body of an elderly woman may have been undiscovered in her home for some considerable time.

Police were called to a house in Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne, at 1pm on Friday.

They were alerted following concern that the householder, who was in her late 70s or early 80s, had not been seen recently.

Officers who entered the property found the body and called in forensic squad officers to investigate.

Following a post-mortem examination on Saturday, a police spokesman said the death is not being treated a suspicious.

Officers, who are about to complete inquiries at the house, believe the woman had lived there for several years.

They are still trying to trace her next of kin.

Speaking this morning, a neighbour said they had noticed the police investigation but did not know the woman concerned as she "kept herself to herself".

It is not known at this stage when she was last seen alive or how long ago she died.

Nearby resident Stuart Somers said his partner noticed the police at the property while taking the dog for a walk at 6pm on Friday.

He passed by later that evening and saw police tape across the driveway and a forensics van.

He said: "People in the area are talking about what might have happened, especially as Chalkwell is quite a busy road and people are driving up and down all day."

Speaking this morning, a neighbour said they didn't know the woman as she kept herself to herself.