Police have launched a murder inquiry after a 92-year-old widower was found dead at his home in Witney.

A neighbour found Edwin Hiles lying on the floor at his house in Lancut Road, on the Windrush Valley estate, on Thursday evening.

He was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford but was declared dead on arrival. A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday.

Thames Valley Police spokesman David Campbell said: "Mr Hiles was an elderly man living on his own. At present, we are treating his death as suspicious because of the nature of his injuries. Inquiries are continuing and a murder incident room has been set up."

No details of his injuries have been released.

Mr Hiles, a Londoner, had lived on the estate for 32 years and was well-known as one of its oldest residents. He came to the area in the last war, stationed at RAF Brize Norton. He stayed on afterwards, working for a while for Smiths Industries. In November a portable gas fire at his home burst into flames. He managed to call out the fire brigade and later praised its swift response.

And only a month ago, despite his age, he displayed his fighting spirit in a dispute with his landlords over the felling of a conifer tree in his back garden.

Neighbour Gordon Hendry said yesterday: "He was very well-known round here and he was a very good neighbour who used to chat to you when he saw you.

"He was a sprightly old gentleman. Not so long ago I had to go to his rescue after he fell from a ladder while doing his windows. He had cracked ribs and a dislocated shoulder but recovered quickly. It's a shock to us all. You don't expect this sort of thing close to home."

His son Phillip Hiles, of Cotswold Meadow, Witney, was in shock and unable to comment.

Police this week warned elderly people to be on their guard against conmen posing as charity workers, but they do not believe Mr Hiles' death is connected to that.

Police have appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Lancut Road area on Thursday around 6.30pm to call 01865 335252 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.