DETECTIVES are carrying out house-to-house inquiries in Wimborne after the murder of a young woman.

The body was discovered at 5.30am yesterday by a member of the public at a property in West Borough, close to the junction with East Borough in the town centre.

The house and immediate vicinity were sealed off while forensic teams carried out a painstaking search of the area. Home Office pathologist Dr Allen Anscombe was also at the scene.

Police refused to say exactly where at the address the woman was found, but scene of crime experts were paying close attention to the driveway where a shelter was erected covering the entrance to the rear yard.

An incident room has also been set up at the eastern divisional headquarters at Ferndown.

Detective Chief Superintendent Phil Sincock said: "The body was found in an area at the rear of the house but we can't be more specific.

"We do not yet have a firm identity. We are also not yet certain about the cause of death but a post mortem is being carried out.

"We are doing house-to-house inquiries and a search of the vicinity.

"We would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious near the house, from about breakfast time on Wednesday throughout the day and evening, to come forward."

The news has stunned local people who say a woman and two older teenagers or young people live at the house and have done for many years.

One neighbour said: "We have been here 18 years and they were here then but I don't really know them."

Another resident said: "It's a bit scary that this has happened, especially when you've got children."

Witnesses should call the incident room on 01202 226232 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.