A former Ukip councillor has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of his wife at their £400,000 home.

Stephen Searle, 64, a former Royal Marine commando, is being quizzed by detectives after 62-year-old Anne Searle was found dead by paramedics at their house in Stowmarket, Suffolk, at 10.20pm yesterday.

Mr Searle was arrested on suspicion of murder and has been taken to a police station in Bury St Edmunds, while forensics officers work at the scene.

Stephen Searle (right), 64, a former a marine commando, is being quizzed by detectives after Anne Searle (left), 62, was found dead by paramedics at 10.20pm yesterday

The woman, in her 60s, was found unconscious at a property in this leafy cul-de-sac in Stowmarket, Suffolk, at around 10.20pm yesterday

It is understood Mr and Mrs Searle had been married for more than 30 years and have three sons and several grandchildren.

It is not yet known how Mrs Searle died, but a post-mortem is due to take place in the next few days.

Mr Searle has worked as a Suffolk County Councillor for four years after being elected for Ukip in 2013.

Pictures on Facebook show him smiling alongside former party leader Nigel Farage.

Mr Searle (right) pictured here with former Ukip leader Nigel Farage, has worked as a Suffolk County Councillor for four years

Mr Searle is a retired Royal Marines commando, pictured, he poses with a rifle while on an military base

A forensics officer carries out investigations at the property as a man in custody is quizzed by detectives

Speaking at the time, Mr Searle said: 'It's superb to be fighting again for my country, and my people.'

Mrs Searle, who grew up in Scotland, previously ran the Stag Tavern pub in Stowmarket, with her husband before they sold it in 1992.

Meanwhile, neighbours on the quiet street, containing detached brick houses valued at £400,000 and over, described seeing emergency vehicles arriving on Saturday night.

Police officers and PCSO's arrive at the scene in Stowmarket, Suffolk, this morning

Police on patrol at the scene in Stowmarket this morning, after a woman was found dead at a property in a quiet cul-de-sac

Richard Hallett, 40, said: 'I saw the ambulance at about 11pm.

'There was one ambulance and two rapid response vehicles and three police cars.

'I was watching TV and heard something so I looked out of the window and thought 'where did that come from?'.

'I think the gentleman from the house where the woman died worked with the Salvation Army and did the poppy collection.

'He seemed like a nice bloke. We tend to get the poppies from him.'

Suffolk Constabulary confirmed a man had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Forensics officers from Suffolk Constabulary carry out investigations inside the home this morning

Properties in The Brickfields, where the woman was found, can cost up to £400,000

A spokesman said: 'A man has been arrested following the death of a woman in Stowmarket last night, Saturday, December 30.

'Police were called to an address in The Brickfields at 10.20pm.

'On arrival at the property a woman, believed to be aged in her 60s, was discovered unresponsive. Paramedics attended the address but the woman was declared deceased at the scene.

'The death is being treated as suspicious and a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

'A police cordon is in place at the property whilst officers carry out an investigation.'

An investigation into the woman's death is underway and anyone with information should contact Suffolk Police on 101.