Police search creek after elderly Christchurch woman found dead

Police are combing a creek in front of a Christchurch flat where an elderly woman was found dead last night.

They were called to a unit in Brookside Tce just before 6pm yesterday and found the woman.

It's understood she was in her 80s.

Police say they are still making inquiries to establish the cause of death, which they say is "unexplained".

A large cordon surrounding the end unit was removed about 11am, shortly after a hearse removed the body.

Officers examining the house also appear to be packing up.

One neighbour, who only wished to be identified as Paul, said the death has been upsetting for locals.

"It's not very nice at all," he said.

"We are pretty concerned about it all but I doubt, and I very much hope, nothing sinister has happened."

He got home about 5.30pm to "a swarm of police and ambulances".

The neighbour said the woman lived alone and that it was a quiet area.