An elderly woman has been found stabbed to death in a house in Cheam.

The woman, who was in her 80s, has been named locally as Winifred Crowther.

She was found with multiple stab wounds at an address on Lumley Road at 6.30pm yesterday.

Her husband, Ron, the brother of television star Leslie Crowther, was found unconscious at the scene. He has been taken to hospital and is in a critical condition.

A police spokesman said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

It is understood Mrs Crowther suffered from Alzheimers disease and was being cared for by Ron, who is also in his 80s.

One neighbour said: “They were a lovely old couple but she was getting worse and worse and he was struggling to cope.

“He was really down. He had reached that age where he couldn't cope with the strain he was under.

“He couldn't leave her on her own or turn his back on her.

“He used to enjoy gardening and had a pond built but he didn't have any time for that any more and got a neighbour to fill the pond in. All his time was spent looking after her.

“I don't think he would want to be here without her.”

On Thursday, neighbours noticed the couple’s lights had been off for two days in a row and alerted the police.

Prior to their retirement it's understood Ron worked for the Navy and had served in the Second World War. Winifred used to work in a shoe shop in Cheam village.

It is believed they have a son who does not live in the area.

Ron, full name Frank Ronald Crowther, is the half-brother of ITV's Price is Right host Leslie from his father's first marriage. Leslie died of heart failure in 1996 aged 63.