A 38-year-old former Kent woman who has been described as a 'friendly, fun girl' has been found dead in woods in West Sussex.

The body of Una Whitney, who had lived in Thatch Barn Road, Headcorn, near Maidstone, was found in woodland at Crabbets Park, Crawley.

A 37-year-old man has appeared before Crawley magistrates charged with Miss Whitney's murder. Lee Charles Portwine, of Pound Hill Parade, Crawley, was remanded in custody until Thursday, August 7.

It is understood Miss Whitney had lived in Headcorn for a number of years before moving to Crawley where she had lived for the past year. Her mother still lives in Kent.

Miss Whitney had worked at the Larchmere House Residential Home for the elderly in Frittenden for much of the time she lived in Headcorn. One villager, who asked not to be named, said: "She was a fun girl, very friendly and pretty. I think she was pretty outgoing."

A post mortem examination was carried out at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, but further toxicology tests have been requested to help establish the cause of death.