POLICE are investigating the "suspicious" death of a woman whose body was found in undergrowth along a quiet country lane at Comford near Gwennap.

The body of a 31-year-old woman from Gwennap was discovered by a member of the public in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Police sealed off the small lane, which leads to Gwennap Church, and forensic officers were called. They carried out an extensive examination of the verge area between the road and a small stream. The body of the woman was removed by undertakers at around 11am.

The woman, who has not yet been named, is thought to have been a regular, along with a man, at the Monday night quiz at The Fox and Hounds pub which is at the top of the lane.

Pub manager Sean Hocking told the Packet the couple had visited the bar the previous night as they always did and nothing had seemed untoward.

"If it is the couple I think it is they always come in on Monday nights for the quiz," said Mr Hocking who has been at the pub for three months.

"They seemed an odd couple but quite a friendly couple who did like their drink. Everything seemed normal and they left at around 11.20pm.

"The first I knew about it was when my girlfriend woke up at half past seven and saw that the road was sealed off by police.

"I've spoken to a few of the locals in the pub who saw them leave last night and we're all in deep shock."

Speaking to the Packet, at the scene, Inspector Mike Ward of Devon and Cornwall Police said: "At the moment we are treating the death as suspicious. This road is now classified as a crime scene."

Police say they are anxious to trace the driver, or occupants, of a white van which was flagged down by a male outside the Fox and Hounds pub at around 6am on Tuesday.

They are also anxious for any witnesses who may have seen people arguing outside the pub on Monday night or Tuesday morning to come forward.

Fox and Hounds landlord John Milan said: "I was horrified. I realised something terrible had happened when I arrived for a coffee morning this morning.

"I'm just horrified that it happened so close to the pub to people who are our regulars."

Mr Milan added: "It is a very close-knit community. We all know each other intimately, and people are just amazed at what has happened."

A post mortem was being held late yesterday. Det Insp Neil Best, who is in charge of the investigation, was not releasing the cause of death.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Camborne Police Station on 08705 777 444.

l Last night a man was in custody at Camborne police station. A man is currently at Camborne police station helping detectives with their inquiries.