Detectives have started a murder inquiry after a woman's body was found at a house in Yeadon.

The grim discovery was made just before noon yesterday at the modern semi-detached home in Sunnybank Court.

Officers found the dead woman, who has not been named, after they were called to the property. A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was today under police guard at an unnamed hospital.

Residents in the quiet cul de sac, close to the Yeadon Tarn beauty spot, spoke of their shock at the death of the woman who they described as "always friendly".

As mothers walked their children to school, police tape surrounded the neatly-kept garden of the house where the dead woman lived with her husband. Resident Mike Garforth said: "I used to see her around and she would say 'hello'. I can't believe this could happen here."

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "They were a friendly couple in their 40s. She always had a smile. I was really shocked, I've lived here 30 years and never known anything like it."

Another resident, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said: "They'd lived here for 15 years. It makes you feel numb, we just feel terrible."