THREE people have been arrested over the murder of a mother of five who was stabbed to death in the New Forest as she tended to her horses.

Pennie Davis, 47, was found by her husband of four months, Pete, in a field at Beaulieu on Tuesday.

The supermarket worker, from Blackfield, had died of multiple stab wounds.

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said today that one person has been arrested on suspicion of murder, another has been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and a third has been detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All remain in police custody and Mrs Davis's family has been informed of the development.

Specialist forensics officers have been continuing fingertip searches of the field and a nearby river while police have also increased patrols in the area to offer reassurance to residents.

Pete, the children and Pennie's parents visited the paddock yesterday morning and left flowers with messages from each member of the family.

A statement released by the family through police said: ''We are devastated by the death of our beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend.

''Pennie was a remarkable person. She was a devoted mother of five children who worked hard to ensure that they had everything they needed. She cared for and supported them in everything they did.

''In May she married her love, Pete, at a joyful occasion surrounded by her loved ones.

''Pennie was the kind of woman who once she became your friend she was a friend for life. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and grief that her death has caused.

''She was particularly close to her mother who is devastated by her death and who joins the whole family in appealing to everyone for help in finding the perpetrator of this crime.''

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton, who is leading the murder inquiry, has said Pennie visited the field on a daily basis to tend to her horses and that her husband would often meet her there.

He said it was not known if the killer was known to her, adding: ''We urgently need to trace and speak to witnesses. We want to speak to anyone who was in the area of the paddock by Leygreen Farm on Tuesday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm.

''This is just north of Beaulieu and a popular route used by local commuters from Lymington to Southampton to avoid Lyndhurst.

''We believe there will have been tourists in this area at the time as well as commuters, walkers, and people out fishing in the adjacent river.''

He said Pennie, who used to work for the Daily Echo, drove a dark green Toyota Land Cruiser which she used to travel from work in Blackfield to the field where her horses were kept.

He added: ''We believe the weapon used was a bladed item, possibly a knife, and that it would have most likely been discarded close to the scene.''

Anyone with information can contact the Operation Biscotti investigation team in confidence on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.