Robynne Fraley, 54, was discovered with serious head injuries by ambulance officers at her house in Athlone Street, Cecil Hills, just before 1pm.

It is believed she was found bleeding heavily after receiving a blow to her head and was taken to Liverpool Hospital.

Her 54-year-old husband was at home at the time of the attack but "left the scene before emergency services arrived", was arrested nearby a short time later.

It is understood he allegedly called emergency services claiming he had hit his wife with a hammer and had left the garage door open before fleeing.

Mr Fraley was taken to Green Valley police station before also being transported to Liverpool Hospital as a precaution on Monday night.

He was under police guard with detectives treating the incident as an incident of domestic violence.

The cul-de-sac remained cordoned off by police late on Monday afternoon as officers from Green Valley Local Area Command forensically examined the house, which had been declared a crime scene.

Neighbours returning home from work congregated at the top of the street, where they waited to be allowed back to their homes by police.

It is understood the Mrs Fraley, her husband and four adult children had lived in the street for almost two decades, and were among the street's oldest residents.

One neighbour, who had been mowing his front lawn, said he saw two of couple's daughters leave the house in a car shortly just after 12:30pm. Fifteen minutes later, he heard police sirens approaching his street.

*/ ]]>