One of the women fighting for her life after being bludgeoned in a horrific hammer attack in Eltham lived just three doors from the suspect, it has emerged.

The woman - named as 30-year-old office worker Ania Gos - was attacked near her home along with her 64-year-old mother.

The two women were rushed to hospital with horrific facial and other injuries after being attacked in the street yesterday lunchtime (August 19).

They both remain in a "critical" condition.

Shocked neighbours described Ania, who lives with her sister on the street, as a "sweet" and "lovely" person.

The suspect - named by police as 27-year-old Joe Xuereb - lived just three door s down from Ania in Adderley Gardens where the attack happened.

He was arrested seven hours after the attack three miles away in Sidcup on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder. He remains in police custody.

Shocked neighbours in Adderley Gardens said Xuereb lived with his mother on the street.

They said Ania was attacked with her mother who was on a visit from Poland.

Ania's neighbour witnessed the aftermath of the "freak attack".

Bob Gover, a retired TV engineer, has lived on Adderley Gardens for 25 years.

The 69-year-old said: "The girl that was attacked is lovely - she's really nice - she's been here for two years.

"She was in the flat with her sister and her sister's four-year-old boy.

"When it all happened the sister came out and she was holding the mother up.

"It was her mother that was visiting; she's not normally there - she came over from Poland."

He added: "I could see the attacker putting his hand down on Ania outside - it was all over in about three minutes.

"Her face was just covered in blood - it's sheer shock - that's all I can say."

Another neighbour said she is "in complete shock" and is scared for her safety after the attack.

She added: "It's such a quiet little road, I've lived here for 30 years and I would never have expected this.

"Ania was a sweet girl, I can't believe that happened to her."

Polish national Ania is listed as working in 'business support' for McGraw Hill Financial, based in Canary Wharf, a financial information group linked with S&P Global.

A spokesperson for S&P Global said: "We are extremely shocked and saddened by the senseless attack on one of our employees.

"Ania Gos and her mother were attacked on Sunday afternoon.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to their family and friends."