A MURDER investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in St Lawrence.

Police were contacted by the ambulance service at 10.45am today following reports that a woman was seriously injured at St Lawrence Holiday Park in Main Road. 

Despite the best efforts of paramedics the woman died at the scene.

A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident and remains in police custody.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 10.36am today to Main Road, St Lawrence, to a report of a woman who was not breathing.

"An ambulance crew, rapid response vehicle, ambulance officer and Herts Air Ambulance were dispatched.

"They treated a woman who was in cardiac arrest. Despite their best efforts, the patient sadly died at the scene."

Residents looked on in shock as police flooded into the village this morning.

One resident of Main Road said: "It all happened in such a flash. One minute I saw I helicopter flying overhead, next a good five or six police cars raced passed towards the park."

David Yates, of Mountview Cresent, said: "What a horrifying shock to hear of a killing in our small seaside village, you would never have expected something so awful to happen here.

"I've never seen such a flurry of police when they all came in.

"I hope anyone who saw anything can co-operate with police to bring the person responsible to justice. My sincere condolences to the woman's family."

A spokesman for St Lawrence Holiday Park said: "Police are carrying out their investigation and have the whole area cordoned off. We do not want to disrupt them by commenting any further, people have been through enough grief."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Essex Police's Brentwood Major Investigation Team on 101.