A woman has been found living with the mummified body of her mother in a squalid apartment in Ukraine.

Police believe the 77-year-old woman had kept the remains of her deceased mother for at least 30 years in a flat strewn with rubbish including stacks of newspapers.

Officers found the body lying on a sofa next to religious iconography after being called to the address in the city of Mykolaiv by concerned neighbours.

Police were called to the apartment of a 77-year-old woman in Ukraine only to find she had been living with the mummified body of her mother for at least 30 years

Officers said the woman's remains were found lying on a sofa dressed in a white dress, head covering, socks and shoes, and had been surrounded by religious iconography

The body had been dressed in a white dress and head covering, with blue shoes and green socks.

Her daughter - now an elderly woman herself - was found alive but paralysed in both legs.

She was discovered lying on the floor in urgent need of assistance.

There was no water, gas or electricity supply in her flat.

A police report said: 'In order to rescue the 77-year-old woman, officers called the rescue service which helped to break into the flat.

The 77-year-old was found paralysed on the floor of the rubbish-filled apartment and was in desperate need of medical attention, officers said

The flat was strewn with litter including stacks of old newspapers. Neighbours said she was a complete recluse who never answered her door

'In one room on the floor was sitting a woman surrounded by rubbish.

'The pensioner could not walk and needed urgent help.

'An ambulance was called for her.

'Having checked other rooms, police found a mummified body of a woman.'

The report went on: 'The woman pensioner lived alone, and did not communicate with her neighbours. She never opened her front door.

The woman was rushed to hospital for treatment and police have opened an investigation

'Despite this, neighbours tried to take care of her and left food for her on the doorstep.

'Nobody guessed that the woman was living with a dead body of her mother.

'Now the mummified body was removed from the flat and sent to forensic experts.

'The pensioner is now in hospital.'

A criminal investigation was opened by police.