NEIGHBOURS were last night mourning the death of a woman whose body was pulled from a channel off the River Windrush in Burford.

The 59-year-old’s body was spotted by a couple at about 9.35am in the Mill Stream, near Church Lane, Burford.

Thames Valley Police said the woman was from the town but a name has yet to be released.

She was quickly identified from personal items in a carrier bag found at nearby St John the Baptist Church.

Her next of kin, who also live in the area, were informed.

Det Sgt Jim Holmes said a German couple on the last day of a holiday in the UK spotted the body, near the Guildenford long-stay car park, while feeding ducks.

He said: “She was retrieved from the water by the fire service.

“Several attempts were made to resuscitate her by paramedics and the air ambulance crew at the scene.

“We do not believe it is suspicious.”

He said the woman, named locally as Wendy, had not been reported missing and was not thought to have been in the water long.

The police helicopter was called to survey the scene and police attended with a fire crew and paramedics.

Mark Morris, of Gloucester construction firm EG Carter, who was working nearby, said he saw the body as he and colleagues dismantled a shed.

He said: “It was a shock. A lad came running along on the phone to the police. Within minutes the police were here.”

Rosemary Williams, 77, whose Guildenford home backs on to the area where the body was found, said the woman was well known.

She said she believed the woman had a daughter, adding: “She was a Burfordian born and bred. I feel very sorry for her family, it was a shock.”

Keith Davies, who runs a plant business in Church Lane, said: “She was quite well known, they are a well-known local family.

“I am shocked to think it has happened just here on the doorstep.

“She was very pleasant, open, outgoing girl, she always spoke to you.”

Graham Drinkwater, of WJ Castle butchers, said: “She wasn’t a regular customer but I did see her occasionally. She was quite cheerful.”

Alice Temple-Bruce, of Flossie’s Designs gift shop, said: “We are all stunned. It’s pretty horrible.”