Neighbours today spoke of their shock and horror following death a woman in their street.

One told of how they heard screams coming from the house this morning while another heard a commotion last night.

One man also told the Daily Echo, how he had heard screaming shortly after midnight on Saturday morning: “I heard a woman screaming at about 12.30am to 1am. We were waiting up for our 19-year-old daughter.

"It’s not unusual round here with all the kids and booze.

“Generally it’s a nice estate, “ said the man in his 50s who declined to give his name.

Another neighbour, walking his Alsatian dog, said he had known Mr Marsh for some years because he had been at school with his daughter.

He said: “His mum is a lovely lady and I think he has younger brothers.” Anothe resident has also told police how he heard someone sprinting past his house at about midnight.

A neighbour in the cul-de-sac said: "I was very surprised to see police cars and ambulance and paramedics driving down the road.

"It's quite a sleepy area. The most we normally get in police checking on the play area nearby."

A neighbour has also told police he heard someone run off on Friday night.

James Heavens, whose house overlooks the scene, added: "I saw all the emergency vehicles arrive and a man in an orange boiler suit go into the house and later other officers and forensics turned up.

"They all seemed to be taken their time and there were no sirens. We knew it must be something serious."

Matt Kennedy, 25, who had been staying in Myrtle Avenue with his granddad, said: “I was woken about 8.30am when there was lots of shouting.

"I just thought it was a domestic argument and didn’t any more of it.

"Then I heard the police arrive. You don’t expect anything like that to happen round here.”

Another neighbour, who did not want named, said: "We heard the police cars arrive and then heard a terrible screaming."

Another unnamed resident added: "The police have not let anyone in or out of the scene.

"I saw someone arrive this morning and try to get past the tape. After the police spoke to her she put her hand to her mouth and started screaming."

While another woman said: "This is the quiestest place you could live. Nothing ever happens - I can't believe it."

Local councillor Di Brooks, a member of Totton and Eling Town Council, said it was ''absolutely horrendous'' news.

''It's not something you would expect,'' she said. ''I'm really, really shocked.''

Mrs Brooks, who has lived in Totton for 43 years and been a councillor for more than 20 years, said Totton was ''a nice town''.