CYNTHIA Beamond was a spritely 80-year-old who was treasured by her neighbours in Juliet Road, Halesowen.

The grandmother of two was a familiar and friendly face who neighbours revealed "would give her time for anyone."

Neighbour Ernest Brasier, who has lived on the road for 12 years, said: "It was a tremendous shock when she went missing.

"Her car was gone and they couldn't find it."

He added: "She was a lovely woman, I didn't know her very well but she always wanted to talk when she saw you.

"I do know she did a lot of charity work, she used to go to a place where they used to help feed people.

"That was during the day, it closed up at night so it was just a place for people to go during the day time.

"This is a very quiet, very safe place, I can't think of there ever being any crime here before."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she had two granddaughters and had two grown up daughters.

He added: "How someone could target a frail old gran like this? It is truly despicable. She was an angel the way she helped out others less fortunate than herself.

"She had two daughters, who had a child each too. You can't even imagine what they must be going through.

"If there's one person who did not deserve this, it is her. She was like a saint."

DS Mark Payne, who is leading the murder investigation, added: "The community are obviously in shock about Cynthia's murder because she was a well loved member of the community.

"She did lots of charity work and had a loving family, who loved her dearly, naturally they are absolutely devastated about what has happened."