The skeleton of a Bexleyheath woman has been discovered in her front room 10 years after her death - because her live-in son failed to tell authorities.

Kent Police were called to a house in Stapleton Road on August 22 to reports of a dead body.

It is believed the corpse belonged to widow Doris Ames, who neighbours say died years ago.

Mrs Ames had been living with her youngest son, Martin, who recently passed away, aged 55, after a battle with cancer.

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The widow's remains were reportedly discovered by her eldest son, Alan, aged 61, who had visited the house following his brother's death.

Nicola Fitzgerald, who lives on Stapleton Road, said: "We haven't seen her for years, she lived there with a man but we assumed she'd died.

"We didn't really know her.

"It's very strange, very sad."

Terry Jarrett, aged 57, added: "I used to see her years ago - I only knew her to say 'hello' to but I hadn't seen her in about 10 years and thought she must have died.

"She lived with her son but like I said I just thought she had died."

A Met Police spokesman said: "The death is being treated as unexplained. The body is believed to have been at the address for a number of years.

"There has been no arrest."