COMMUNITIES are being urged to look-out for their elderly neighbours after the body of a pensioner was discovered in a Bournemouth flat, six years after she is believed to have died.

As exclusively revealed in yesterday’s Echo, the ‘mummified’ body of a woman in her seventies, named locally as Anne Leitrim, was discovery on Tuesday at a ground-floor flat in Tolpuddle Gardens in Throop.

Following the tragic discovery, councillor Blair Crawford, portfolio holder for adult social care at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “This is very sad news and serves as a reminder to us all to take the time to check on our neighbours, especially those that are elderly and live on their own.

"By taking a moment to knock on a neighbour’s door and check that they are ok can really help those that are feeling lonely.”

Tobias Ellwood, Bournemouth East MP, added: “This is a really tragic case and shows how important it is to create a strong community feeling and take an interest in our neighbours.”