Friends and neighbours of a woman who was found dead in her home have spoken of their disbelief.

Winifred Thomas has been described by friends and neighbours as a “lovely” woman who was always “friendly and chatty”.

The 77-year-old’s body was found in her house in Deanwood Drive on Sunday at around 10.30am

Frances Harold, 74, has lived close to the couple for 18 years. She took Mrs Thomas to St Matthew’s Church in Wigmore on a weekly basis.

Mrs Harold said she saw Mrs Thomas shortly before she died and said she seemed in pain.

She told the Medway Messenger: “She had been in Medway Hospital recently and Alan and I visited her.

“I think she was in because of her arthritis which she suffered greatly from. When I saw her she seemed in pain and did not seem much better from when she had been in hospital. She was not terribly well. She was struggling.

“I saw Alan and Win walking on Wednesday (May 5). She was walking and using his arm for support.

“Win was a member of the Mothers’ Union at the church. She was lovely.

“We’ve been friends and neighbours for a long time and I just do not understand what’s happened.”

An elderly man accused of killing his wife has been released on bail.

Alan Thomas, of Deanwood Drive, Rainham, has been charged with murdering Winifred Thomas, 77, on May 9.

Thomas, 79, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, May 13, where he was granted bail.

He is due to appear at the same court on July 30, where he will be asked to enter a plea.