A community has been left shocked following the tragic news that a woman had been found dead in her car.

Cumbria police confirmed that a local woman, believed to be in her fifties, was found dead in her vehicle near an industrial estate in the Hindpool area of Barrow.

Officers said they were contacted at about 1.30pm yesterday to the report of a sudden death on James Freel Close.

Ann Thomson, Hindpool councillor and leader of Barrow Borough Council shared the sadness of many of The Mail’s readers.

She said: “This is awful, awful news. These times are just so bad. It is just tragic”

Hindpool councillor Anne Burns added: “I am very sorry to hear this sad news.

“My thoughts and best wishes are with the family of the deceased.”

The circumstances of the death are currently being treated as unexplained, and an initial investigation has been carried out by police.

A spokeswoman from the North West Ambulance Service said: “I can confirm the North West Ambulance Service was called to an incident at just after 1pm on October 23 to James Freel Close in Barrow.

“One rapid response vehicle attended the incident but no other vehicle was required.

“No one was taken to hospital from the scene.”

Fire crews were also called to the incident but were not required.