POLICE have revealed the Bewdley murder victim was stabbed during a "violent attack" and a knife was found at the scene.

A post mortem examination carried out on the elderly woman overnight by a Home Office pathologist showed she had died from a stab wound.

A knife has been recovered from the scene by officers and is currently undergoing forensic examination.

Cordons remain at the scene following the discovery of the woman's body on Wednesday morning at her cottage on a track between Dowles Road and the River Severn, about two miles from Bewdley.

The alarm was raised shortly after 9am that day by a friend of the woman who had been unable to contact her and was concerned for her welfare.

Police entered the property and downstairs discovered the body of a woman in her late 70s. Formal identification is expected to take place later this afternoon but she has been named locally as retired school teacher, Betty Yates.

There is still a heavy police presence in the area and a thorough forensic examination continues at the property and land surrounding it.

Detectives from West Mercia Police who are investigating the murder have set up a major incident room at Stourport Police Station.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, who is leading the investigation, said today: "Our thoughts are with the victim's family at this sad time for them. The lady who died was subjected to a violent attack and we are determined to catch the person or people responsible.

"I would urge anyone who has any information at all that could help our investigation to come forward without delay.

"The cottage is in a secluded spot near the riverside and in an area popular with anglers and walkers. If you were near there between lunchtime on Monday January 2 and around 9am on Wednesday then please get in touch. We also need to know if you saw anyone else there or anything suspicious, including any vehicles in unusual circumstances."

Anyone with information should call the Major Incident Room at Stourport Police Station on 0300 333 3000, quoting incident reference 82-S-040112, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if they wish to remain anonymous.