Villagers have expressed shock and sadness at the death of an elderly person who lived in sheltered accomodation ravaged by fire.

Police have confirmed that a body was retrieved from Gibson Court in Manor Road North, Hinchley Wood, on Friday afternoon.

They had said before that a person was still unaccounted for after the fire which saw 40 elderly residents evacuated from the retirement flats.

The fire broke out shortly after midnight on Friday.

Chris Fay, whose house on Manor Road North backs onto the home, said: "We are very sad. I'm amazed there wasn't more people that were killed.

"Everyone we have talked to is shocked."

Another neighbour Sophie Peters, 19, a sports science student at Roehampton University, said: "It is just really sad and shocking they weren't able to evacuate everybody.

"There was the first fire and then it seemed to go out."

Roy Sutton, 66, who works in Crossy's Home and Garden, said: "It is very sad. We know a lot of the ladies that used to come in here. I might even know the lady.

"It is a terrible shock. Our hearts can only go out to all the people who have obviously lost all their posessions."

Maria Eley, from Georgie's Coffee House, said: "It is just devastating and my heart goes out to the people that live there because they have lost everything. At that time of life to have that happen to you."