A woman who has been critically ill in hospital since an incident at her home in Hamstreet on Sunday night has died.

Police were called to the house in Rectory Walk, off Cock Lane, at 9.30pm and found Margaret Penny unconscious.

She was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, where she has since died of her injuries.

A man, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on Sunday night and questioned for four days, was released without charge this morning.

Mrs Penny was married with two young sons.

Neighbours in the cul-de-sac of large detached houses spoke of their “shock and sadness”.

One woman, who did not want to be named, described Mrs Penny as a “dear, dear" friend.

A post mortem was due to be carried out on Thursday.