POLICE investigating the discovery of a woman's body have revealed the death appears to have been a "tragic accident."

But detectives were still at the scene of the death yesterday after the body of a local woman in her 60s was found in bushes the previous day.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Snow, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: "A post mortem has been completed and has confirmed this death was not suspicious.

"This appears to have been a tragic accident and a file will now be passed to the Coroner for further investigation."

The victim was discovered in the grounds of Vernon Hall, a prestigious apartment building near Devonshire Park, at around 3.55pm on Sunday.

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And a town councillor who has lived in the Hall for four years has told of residents' shock at the incident.

Sam Fletcher, an Independent member of Keighley Town Council, said the close knit community was upset.

"I'm really shocked, we don't even get anti-social behaviour here, it's very quiet.

"The police interviewed everyone and asked me on Sunday whether I'd heard anything on Saturday night.

"I hadn't, but assume from that it was Saturday night when something happened.

"If it's a woman in her 60s, then it's not someone who lives in the Hall as far as I know."

Cllr Fletcher said he was unaware of the circumstances of the woman's death and said she may have entered the secluded grounds via a garden gate at the rear of the property.

"There is a gate at the back which is supposed to be kept locked, but someone may have left it open.

"The police had a full forensic team here on Sunday and did a very professional job.

"We did all we could to help them. It's all very sad," he said.

Other residents also said yesterday they did not think the woman had lived in the former office building, where flats now sell for between £70,000 and £100,000.

Police officers were still searching the grounds yesterday and logging the names of people visiting the flats.

Vernon Hall sits at the end of quiet cul-de-sac, Vernon Court, where householders spoke of their upset at the discovery.

Ash Siddique said: “I’m completely shocked and surprised. You do not expect anything like that to happen round here.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, added: "It's a very sad business and also doesn't seem to be someone who lives in Vernon Hall or Vernon Court from what we've been told."