POLICE are trying to establish the movements of a 82-year-old pensioner in the hours before she was found murdered.

The body of Joan Smyth was discovered in her flat in Wakeley Road, Rainham, early last week. She is thought to have spent part of Monday last week shopping near her home.

Police officers, armed with a photograph of Mrs Smyth, have been questioning shoppers and other people in the Rainham Precinct in a bid to aid the investigation.

A spokesman for Medway Police said: “We think it was about noon when the victim was out and about. We would like more information about her movements."

* Last Friday Richard Graham Loudwell, of Lower Twydall Lane, Gillingham, appeared in court charged with murdering Mrs Smyth.