A MAN was arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman's body was found yesterday next to a footpath near the Suffolk/Norfolk border.

Laurence Cawley

A MAN was arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman's body was found yesterday next to a footpath near the Suffolk/Norfolk border.

Norfolk police is investigating the death after the body, believed to be that of a Polish woman, was found in the Water Meadows area of Thetford at 7am.

It was found near London Road, just off a footpath between the Abbey Estate and Thetford town centre.

She is described as in her early 40s, slim, 5ft 4in, with brown shoulder-length hair bleached blonde in the lower part.

She was wearing a black long-sleeved top, dark grey jeans and white trainers. The body was covered in mud, particularly on the arms and hands. It is believed the woman was Polish.

A spokesman for the police said: “The victim is thought to have been sleeping rough with a male companion in the town centre area of Thetford and that they were seen regularly in and around Thetford.

“It is believed that an incident took place overnight or in the early hours of this morning, resulting in her death.”

The cause of death is still unexplained.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the victim alone or with someone else in the hours leading up to her death or from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the Water Meadows area last night or this morning.

One man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody. No details about him have been released.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Norfolk police's Major Investigation Team on 0845 456 4567 or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.