THE woman found murdered at Shipbourne, near Tonbridge, at the weekend was heavily pregnant, police have now revealed.

The unidentified victim, black and aged between 20 and 30, had a tattoo of an indian squaw on her right shoulder. She had been struck repeatedly with a bladed weapon like a machete or meat cleaver, a press conference was told.

Det Ch Insp Lynne Owens, senior investigating officer in the case, said: "It was a horrific, brutal and frenzied attack."

The woman was found by a dog walker near a small car park in Forestry Commission owned Dene Park, off Puttenden Lane, on Saturday at about 3pm. Det Ch Insp Owens said: "We don't believe she'd been there for more than 24 hours."

There were no signs the woman had been the victim of a sex attack or had taken drugs, she said. The victim, described as Afro-Caribbean or mixed race and 5ft 4in tall, was between 30 and 40 weeks pregnant. She had collar-length wavy hair, two front teeth and two back teeth missing.

The woman wore trainers, red and white training socks, dark blue maternity trousers and a black Eisenegger jacket, Det Ch Insp Owens told the press at Kent Police Headquarters, Sutton Road, Maidstone. The murder victim also wore three rings, one yellow or gold, an ornate silver ring with a white stone in the middle and a thumb ring with dinosaurs.

Det Ch Insp Owens said: "We believe she would have gained access to the park with a vehicle. We don't know what kind of vehicle was involved."

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 01622 654321 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.