A 51-year-old man is being held on suspicion of murder after the body of a pensioner was discovered in Abingdon.

Police were called to a house in North Quay at 7.15am this morning (Thursday) after being alerted by a family member.

The body of an 81-year-old man was discovered in a first floor bedroom. He had a single chest wound, which is believed to have been caused by an air rifle. A weapon was recovered from the scene by police.

A post mortem examination is being carried out at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford this afternoon.

The 51-year-old is currently being questioned by detectives at Abingdon Police Station.