Forensic teams were examining several sites in High Street, Mexborough, near Doncaster, after the body was discovered late on Thursday night.

Both the Bull's Head pub and Paula's Sandwich Bar in High Street were cordoned off and were being guarded by police community support officers yesterday.

A police spokesman said the woman was found "at the foot of a high wall" at around 11pm and paramedics were called.

The victim, who has not been officially identified but was named locally as the pub landlady Marie Brookes, was pronounced dead at the scene.

High Street was closed to vehicles from its junction with Bank Street and nearby Garden Street was also closed. People were allowed to walk into the pedestrianised area to visit neighbouring shops.

A man, 62, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and was yesterday being quizzed by police. A post-mortem examination was also being carried out by a Home Office pathologist last night.

Det Supt Richard Fewkes is leading the investigation, but officers declined to reveal any details about the victim's injuries.

Firefighters were also requested because of problems experienced by emergency services in reaching the woman's body. They provided ladders to help paramedics reach the body at the foot of the wall.