Seven men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after gardeners discovered a body in a well in Warlingham.

Police were called to a three bedroom cottage in Audley Drive at about 1.50pm yesterday, following the discovery by two gardeners who were carrying out clearing work in the garden.

Officers are unable to confirm the gender of the body until it is extracted from the well, but Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons who is leading the investigation, said he believes it to be that of a white adult.

The body remains in the well and marine diving teams will try to extract it later today, but DCI Lyons said it would take "considerable time."

He said: "It will take quite considerable time to recover the body from the well because the well is seven foot deep, in about four to five feet of water and a two foot diameter opening to the well.

"It will take quite a bit of scientific marine work and pathology work to recover and identify that body."

Speaking about the discovery he said: "The discovery was made by two workmen clearing brambles and garden debris from the half acre plot yesterday.

"Why I am treating this as a murder investigation is because I can confirm the body did not fall in there, the body was placed in that well by a third party or third parties, and really it's getting to who is that person."

Asked about how long the body had been in the well, DCI Lyons said: "Until we get the body out and examine it forensically we won't be able to tell exactly.

"But I will give you an estimate at this stage that the body has been there no more than a few weeks- but that varies dramatically because it could change it atmospheric conditions."

Local residents have spoken of their shock at the discovery.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named said: "This is a road where we have lots of families, you really don't expect this in suburbia.

"We didn't used to have vision of the bungalow but this year all the trees were cut down.

"It is a group of men that live at the address, they have lots of parties. You don't know what goes on there, but there have been lots of little things that have happened here linked to that address."

Another neighbour said: "It is a bit spooky what has happened and that there's a potential murderer on the lose around this area.

"You don't expect it in this kind of road."

Asked about neighbours claims there had been trouble at the cottage in the past few years, DCI Lyons said: "The residents have expressed concern, there is intelligence to support that notion, yes."

DCI Lyons appealed for anyone who has concerns about a person who has gone missing, particularly if they had connections to the Warlingham area, to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 020 8721 4961 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.