A suspect is at large and a “major response” is under way after a woman in her 70s died after being attacked in a park in Exeter.

Police in Devon have launched a murder investigation and are hunting for a man they say could be “armed and dangerous”.

Officers were called at around 4pm on Saturday following reports of a woman having been seriously assaulted in Ludwell Valley Park, in the Wonford area of Exeter.

Emergency services attended but a local woman in her 70s was declared dead at the scene. Her next of kin have been informed.

Superintendent Tom Holmes, said: “Cordons are in place including at Wonford Sports Centre and police units remain in the area.

“At this time the suspect remains at large and a major response is under way.

“Tonight we have taken the steps of releasing an image of a man we need to identify in connection to the murder investigation.”

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The image was captured at 3.17pm outside Wonford Sports Centre in Exeter and Supt Holmes said it is “vital” that the man is identified and located.

Supt Holmes added: “We believe that this man could be armed and dangerous, so we are telling the public not to approach him in any circumstances and immediately call 999 if you have seen this man.”

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