Detectives have arrested a 65-year-old man over the murder of an 85-year-old woman who was killed in a “horrendous” attack in her home, police said.

Rosina Coleman was discovered by a handyman at her home of about 50 years in Ashmour Gardens, Romford, east London, at about 11.30am on Tuesday.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and neck, Scotland yard said.

Former seamstress Mrs Coleman was a mother of two and had lived on the road for decades with her husband Bill, who died about 11 years ago, neighbours said.

The suspect was arrested on Friday at an address in Romford on suspicion of murder.

The Metropolitan Police said he is being held in custody at an east London police station.

Detective Inspector Paul Considine, who is leading the investigation, said: “Whilst we have made an arrest today, the investigation into Rosina’s murder remains ongoing and I continue to appeal for witnesses.

“Were you in Ashmour Gardens on Tuesday May 15?

“Every fragment of information is beneficial to our investigation and it is imperative that we gather as much evidence as we can against the person responsible for this horrendous offence.”