A quiet corner of Winchester was left in shock this week after the discovery of a woman's body.

Valerie Page, also known as Valerie Edwards, was found dead at her home in Honeysuckle Close, Badger Farm, on Tuesday afternoon.

Staff at the nearby Carroll Youth Centre in Stanmore, where Mrs Page was the manager, are now trying to come to terms with her loss.

Mother-of-two Mrs Page (51) was reported missing by concerned relatives on Monday.

The next day, police found her dead at her home, where she lived with her teenage children, Ruth and Daniel, and husband, David.

Officers immediately cordoned off the terraced house at the southern end of Honeysuckle Close.

With a police spotter plane circling above the property, forensic teams moved in to hunt for clues surrounding Mrs Page's death.

A post mortem carried out by Home Office pathologist, Basil Purdue, revealed that she died from head injuries.

Shortly after her body was found, police cordoned off the Carroll Youth Centre, after receiving reports of an intruder.

Staff cleared the centre at around 3.30pm before any children arrived for after school activities. Youngsters and parents were redirected to Winchester Family Church in nearby Stanmore Lane. Police then searched the youth centre, but found nobody.

Mrs Page had worked there since 1992. In her role as manager, she was responsible for the day-to-day running of the premises.

She also helped out with the Poppins after-school club, based at the site, and drove the centre's minibus.

Carroll Youth Centre chairman, John Craig, said staff were devastated by the news of Mrs Page's death.

He added: "We feel desperately sorry for her family, particularly her son and daughter.

"Val has managed the centre for the past 12 years and was very much a friend to many of us connected with it. She made a phenomenal contribution to the development of the centre and staff are shattered by her loss.

"She had a great relationship with staff and with parents and children and other users of the centre."

Mr Craig confirmed that police were called to the site after fears about an intruder, but did not say if it had anything to do with Mrs Page's death.

In Honeysuckle Close, residents were deeply shocked with the harrowing discovery in their peaceful street. Ann Taylor, who lives across the road from Mrs Page's house, said the cul-de-sac was normally a quiet place, where children could play freely.

Another neighbour, Jamie Zeqiri, moved to Badger Farm with his partner and their baby last year because of its tranquillity. "I love this place. It's been really peaceful for us - until today," he said.

The death is being investigated by around 30 police officers, led by Detective Superintendent David Kilbride.

He said: "The last confirmed sighting of Valerie was on the evening of Thursday, November 25th and we are extremely keen to hear from anyone who had seen her since then.

"We are speaking to family, friends, neighbours and colleagues in an effort to trace her last movements."

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Call the Operation Dorlands team at Basingstoke on 0845 045 4545 if you think you can help.

* A 45-year-old Winchester man was arrested in Stanmore on Wednesday evening on suspicion of murder. Detectives were interviewing him at Alton police station as the Chronicle went to press.

* In a separate incident, two men were found dead in Petersfield yesterday (Thursday).

One was discovered outside a block of flats in Hylton Road, while the second was inside the building.

Police have launched an investigation, and nearby Petersfield Infant School was closed for the day.