GOOD neighbour Maggie Shakespeare is believed to have slipped and died while watering her friend's plants.

Village stalwart Sylvia Cole says she was shocked to hear the body of her 56-year-old friend had been found in her front garden pond.

Mrs Shakespeare was found at Sylvia's home Verry House, Forest Road, Ruardean Woodside on Saturday morning.

She had suffered head injuries but police have ruled out foul play.

Brian and Sylvia Cole were away on a caravan holiday and the body was discovered when somebody came to feed their pets.

Residents are still in shock about the death of the 'quiet, shy woman' who was a familiar figure walking her black labrador and celebrated her teacher son Ben's wedding last year.

Mrs Shakespeare was watering the pots in the garden at Verry House, Forest Road, Ruardean Woodside while Mrs Cole was away on a caravan holiday with husband Brian.

She had suffered a head injury but police have ruled out foul play.

Mrs Cole said: "The police called to tell me on Saturday and obviously it was a big shock.

"She was a good friend, it's just awful what happened.

"Maggie had quite a nervous temperament but she was a very kind lady who loved animals.

"She offered to water the pots that the watering system did not reach."

Mrs Shakespeare's body was discovered shortly before 11am on Saturday by another villager who had come to feed the pets.

It is not known how long she had been there when she was found.

Residents are still in shock about the death of the "quiet, shy woman" who was widowed soon after moving into Woodside, on Duttons Lane several years ago.

Villagers saw her walking her black labrador Maddie but say she was a very private person.

She did attend a royal wedding event at the village memorial hall but left early.

And neighbours say she was thrilled last year when her only son Ben, a primary school teacher in Ross-on-Wye, married girlfriend Emma.

She went shopping with Mrs Cole for a new outfit to wear at the wedding of the young university graduate.

Another neighbour Margaret Manning said: "She was a very pleasant, quiet lady. Sylvia had taken her under her wing and was encouraging her to come to more social events.

"She was a really good neighbour and last year she shouted at some boys who were looking through Sylvia's patio doors."

Another villager who did not want to be named said Mrs Shakespeare had been in ill health recently and attending appointments at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

She added: "Everybody was really shocked. I keep thinking about how long she was lying there before she was found."

Police spokesman Chris Jackson said the death is not being treated as suspicious and her family have been informed. An inquest is expected to be opened today.