A 58-year-old woman has died after falling 15 metres (50ft) down a well at her home in a non-suspicious incident.

Police were called to the 17th-century property on New Church Street in the Cotswold market town of Tetbury at 5.45pm on Saturday.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and paramedics also attended the Grade II-listed building and fire officers recovered the victim's body from down the well.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said the woman, who has not been identified, may have fallen around two hours earlier.

Neighbours of the woman said they did not know her but had noticed a large emergency response on Saturday evening.

Emma Jones, 40, a Salvation Army officer, was staying in a cottage overlooking the large semi-detached house when the incident happened.

"There were seven ambulances, two or three police cars, about two fire engines and a helicopter," Ms Jones, from nearby Stroud, said.

"It is a very sad situation, I feel so sorry for her family. I have been praying for her."

The property where the woman died was converted from several flats to one house about a year ago, local residents said.

One man said: "They moved in about a year ago, they've done a lot of renovation work.

"I wave at them but I couldn't tell you their names or anything about them."

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "The really awful thing was we looked out the window at about 8.30 and we saw the body come out in a private ambulance.

"We were told that she was doing her gardening and she just fell.

"One moment she was gardening, the next minute gone.

"Just imagine how her family feel. Something like that, you wouldn't dream of happening.

"There are a lot of questions."

Neighbours said they had seen flowers being placed on the doorstep of the family home on Sunday morning.

A young man who answered the door of the three-storey house said the family did not wish to speak to the press.

In a statement, Gloucestershire Police said: "A woman has died after falling down a well at her home in Tetbury.

"The incident happened at the address on Church Street in the town and was reported to police at about 5.45pm on Saturday May 14.

"It is thought that the victim - a 58-year-old woman - may have fallen in around two hours earlier.

"Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and paramedics were also called to the scene and fire officers recovered the victim's body down the 15-metre-deep well.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious. The woman's next of kin and the coroner have been informed."

The historic town of Tetbury is in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, and is well know for its vast array of antiques shops and close proximity to Highgrove House, the Prince of Wales' family residence.