A RURAL market town is in shock following the murder of a divorced mother-of-two in her home.

The body of Nicola Bisset, 52, was discovered following a tip-off to police.

Ms Bisset who is divorced from Christopher Bulloch, the retired head of a nearby village primary school, lived with daughter Rachel, 18 and her teenage son.

Neighbours say she had recently formed a new relationship with a man, who had been seen visiting her £190,000 home in Rivington Park, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria.

A 53-year-old man from Largs, Ayrshire, was arrested in Penrith, 10 miles away, on suspicion of murder and was being held today.

Ms Bisset and her former husband, ex head of Warcop Primary School, are held in high regard by neighbours and friends in the picturesque Pennines town, famously the venue for the annual horse fair.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said neighbouring North Yorkshire Police received the first call that there may be a problem at the house.

When officers went round they found her lying dead. The cause of death is yet to be revealed.

A Cumbria force spokesman said: "A suspect is still in custody at Carlisle and is being questioned by detectives."