An elderly woman who was murdered in a brutal attack at her country home this morning has been named as an 81-year-old widow, feared to have been burned after disturbing a burglar.

The pensioner, named as Albertina Choules by neighbours, is believed to have dialled 999 before an intruder attacked her outside her £2 million flint and brick home in Ragmans Lane.

Nearby residents in Marlow Bottom and High Wycombe have been left shocked by the murder of Tina, described as a “lovely lady” who was “liked by everyone”.

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She is understood to have lived alone since her company director husband died of cancer 10 years ago.

One of the first police officers to arrive at the scene was attacked and left needing hospital treatment after being confronted by a man.

Earlier this morning, police had confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said that a murder inquiry, led by Detective Chief Inspector Mike Lynch from the Major Crime Team, had been launched and a cordon had been thrown around all houses in Ragmans Lane.

The residents of the remaining four houses in the hamlet were awoken by uniformed police officers who told them not to leave their homes while the suspect was still at large.

They were later re-assured that a man had been arrested.

Police who arrived at Mrs Choules home after a 999 call at 6.30am today found her lying on the lawn outside the house and immediately called for the fire brigade. 

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The murder scene in Ragmans Lane - Google Images.

A spokesman for the Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that crews were sent to the house in Marlow Bottom after an emergency call from the police.

"We arrived at the scene but were not required to do anything in the end," added the spokesman.

A Home Office pathologist was called to Mrs Choules' home and carried out an initial post mortem examination on her body at the scene as the police started their investigation into the killing.

Sources said that it was "quite obvious" that the OAP had been murdered and that "fire had been involved."  

The remote Ragmans Lane was completely cordoned off to traffic this morning, as a police helicopter was scrambled as part of the search for the murder suspect.

The single track road was eventually re-opened to traffic in the afternoon, but another narrow lane leading off to Mrs Choules' remote cottage was tonight still sealed off and under police surveillance as forensics examiners combed the area for clues.

Shocked villagers said they awoke to see hamlet "awash with police and the fire service."

One said: "I left for the school run this morning and there was a fire engine and a police car blocking the road. I went down to Marlow Bottom and by the time I got back from the school run, there were lots of police cars, and ambulance and a black car.

"My husband rang me and told me somebody has been murdered.  "There is a two-storey house and opposite that is a converted barn.

"When I heard about it I thought 'gosh that's terrible'. It is so remote here my husband worries about us being in the countryside.

"You don't expect this kind of thing around here because it is a lovely area.  Marlow Bottom is a beautiful village so it is shocking.”

If you have any information about the murder, call police on 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Did you know Tina? Leave your tribute by commenting below or email andrew.colley@london.newsquest.co.uk