A divorcee murdered in her home was found lying in her bed, with her hands, feet and head bound with tape and cable, police have revealed.

Sharon Birchwood was clothed when her dead body was discovered at her home in Harriotts Lane, Ashtead, on December 7, around 1.40pm.

A postmortem held at the Royal Surrey County Hospital revealed the cause of death as asphyxia, suggesting she was strangled or suffocated.

Detectives leading the murder inquiry say there were no signs of a break-in at the three-bedroom house where Mrs Birchwood lived alone since her divorce.

It is believed Mrs Birchwood may have been dead for more than 24 hours before her body was found.

The last confirmed sighting of her is at Ashtead library about 5pm on December 4.

Earlier that day, at about midday, she had been at Guildford library.

Detective Chief Inspector Maria Woodall said: "We need to know how Sharon travelled from Guildford to Ashtead, and then from Ashtead to her home on that Tuesday.

"We also need to know about Sharon's whereabouts between Tuesday at 5pm and until the time she was found dead on Friday."

She added: "Sharon was a very private person and it may be that she had friends whom her family don't know.

"Although we are contacting friends, acquaintances and colleagues, Sharon may have had other friends who her family are not aware of.

"We need to hear from anyone who knew her. We need to know about her hobbies, her likes, dislikes, her lifestyle, her movements prior to her death."

Officers have been looking at CCTV from the area, speaking to locals, while forensic tests are being completed.

Anyone with information should contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222.