THE police investigation was launched after the body of Georgina Edmonds, 77, was found by her son and a family friend at her cottage in the village of Brambridge, near Eastleigh.

More than 120 police officers have been involved in investigations including forensic searches and house-to-house inquiries over the weekend.

A post-mortem revealed the popular pensioner died from extensive head injuries in what police have described as a brutal attack.

The murder has shocked the picturesque village where many residents, including Mrs Edmonds, often leave their homes unlocked during the day.

Now police are warning villagers to be extra vigilant and to be on the lookout for anyone acting strangely.

Kiln Lane remained sealed off all weekend while more than 50 police officers carried out painstaking inquiries including a fingertip search of Mrs Edmonds' house, Fig Tree Cottage, and the surrounding area.

Police have no motive for the attack but confirmed they are looking for a blunt instrument that was used to batter the pensioner to death.

Officers have questioned former criminals from rehabilitation centre Elderfield House further along Kiln Lane. They said they had no reason to believe anyone from the project, run by Christian charity The Langley House Trust, was responsible and all residents had been accounted for.

Anthony Rice was living at Elderfield House when he murdered Naomi Bryant in Winchester in 2005.

Rice stabbed the 40-year-old mother nine months after being freed from jail for sex attacks. He was jailed for a minimum of 25 years for her murder in October 2005.

Another theory police are understood to be working on is that the house may have been targeted by thieves.

Villagers said they could not believe the horrific crime could happen on their doorstep.

Alan Webb, 50, a financial adviser who has lived nearby for 20 years, said: "Nothing happens here at all so to hear there has now been a murder of an old lady is shocking.

"On Thursday about 10am I had two men who came to my door who were asking me religious-style questions, Jehovah Witness types although they were not holding a Bible.

"One of the men was an elderly gentleman and the other was probably in his 30s. I found it weird because I have not had anyone knock on my door for about five years.

"Then a few hours later, at about midday, I saw another man loitering outside the garden centre which again was strange because you never have anyone down here on foot. He was about 6ft and had grey hair."

Mrs Edmonds, a widow, was dubbed "the lady of the manor" by locals and lived in the grounds of her 52-year-old son Henry's home Kingfisher Lodge.

Henry, known as Harry, runs the family business Edmonds Ltd, a speciality coffee and tea merchants based in Basingstoke. He is married with two young children.

A friend of the family, who did not wish to be named, said his father, also called Harry, built up the coffee and tea merchants but he died around 18 to 20 years ago.

"She was a beautiful lady," said the family friend, who has known them for many years. "She was bubbly, full of fun. I'm extremely fraught and sorry, it's a terrible thing.

"Harry will be very, very upset. He was very close to his mum. They got on well. He moved from London. He wanted Kingfisher Lodge so he moved his mother over to the cottage."

The Rural Dean of Winchester, the Rev Alan Gordon, said the dead woman and those affected by the tragedy had been remembered in prayers at churches across the area yesterday.

Councillor Richard Oldham, chairman of Otterbourne Parish Council, said: "It's a shock to the village. It's a very quiet community.

"People are worried and our prayers and sympathy go out to the family."

He said Kiln Lane, which links Otterbourne and Brambridge, was a busy commuter route.

"It's only a small lane but it's used as a rat run so although it's relatively isolated, many people will have gone past."

Mr Oldham also reassured residents and said: "Some people may be concerned but there is an increased police presence in the village and I hope that will reassure people."

Ann Bailey, a former county councillor, who lives in Otterbourne, said: "I spoke to Mrs Edmonds a number of times delivering leaflets. She was a very pleasant lady.

"It is terrible. The village is horrified. It is almost beyond belief. We have been quite worried by it and hope police find a solution. It's very upsetting."