Forensic teams were called to a quiet residential street after an elderly woman was found dead at her home.

Neighbours witnessed several police cars and a van outside the property in Birch Grove, Hempstead at around 12.30pm yesterday.

Today rubbish could be seen piled up in the porch and a silver Mercedes hatchback is parked in the driveway next to the overgrown front garden.

Police are reported to have been informed by concerned residents after flies were spotted around the window frames.

A dad living a few doors down noticed forensics teams outside the address.

Chris Searle, 34, said he didn't know the lady personally but thought she "lived alone".

He said: "She was an oldish lady who kept herself to to herself. I only went to pick up parcels.

"We never really saw her coming or going."

Another neighbour, Lauren, said she hadn't seen the lady in "around eight years".

She said: "Forensics were here until 9.20pm, up until the body was removed.

"After that the scene was manned by some PCs until the early hours of this morning, where there was a police van and multiple cars again until 12:30pm.

"It’s very sad to see something like this happen so close to home."

One police car remains parked outside the house.

Officers says the death is currently being treated as unexplained and inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.

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