THE body of a woman was found this morning in a toilet cubicle at Whipps Cross University Hospital.

Police were called at 9am after the body was discovered by a cleaner, in the outpatients reception toilets. The woman, who is yet to be identified, was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.23am.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman confirmed that the death is being treated as suspicious.

The Guardian understands that the body was not in the cubicle yesterday evening when the toilets were locked, or at 7.30am today when they were re-opened.

The outpatients department is still open but the main reception area, near the hospital's James Lane entrance, has been closed off while police investigate.

A makeshift reception desk has been set up elsewhere in the outpatients building, and those with appointments are still being treated as normal.

Forensic teams and Chingford CID are now investigating, and are expected to begin work with homicide officers later today.