AN 88-year-old man has been detained under the Mental Health Act after the body of a woman was found in Farnworth.

Police were called to a house on Ramsay Avenue at about 8.10am on Wednesday, and found the body of a woman believed to be in her 80s.

She is due to be formally identified tomorrow, but was named locally as Barbara Heywood.

A man was arrested on suspicion of murder and has since been detained under the Mental Health Act following assessments by specialist medical staff.

Enquiries are ongoing and officers are continuing to support the woman’s family.

A heavy police presence was spotted outside the semi-detached house on Wednesday.

Neighbours spoke of their shock and paid tribute to 'marvellous' and 'generous' Barbara.

They said Mrs Heywood, who had been in a wheelchair for over 30 years, had small great-grandchildren.

Joyce Newsham, 76, who lives in the house opposite, was a close friend of Barbara Heywood and cared for her for a time.

Mrs Newsham said the woman was the first person who spoke to her when she moved to Ramsay Avenue more than 30 years ago.

Mrs Newsham said: "We've been friends ever since, we kept each other going.

"It was such a shock. I've known Barbara for 31 years.

"She'd do anything for anyone. She was marvellous."