A VULNERABLE elderly woman was found dead in her own home after social workers in Liverpool failed to make contact with her for three days.

The woman who has not been named was found dead on Monday in her home in East Liverpool, she was last seen alive by council staff the Friday before.

A member of staff has been suspended and an investigation is underway.

The Daily Post understands that a social worker called at the home on Saturday and Sunday but left after being unable to solicit a response.

Tonight the council has said its sympathies are with the family of the woman.

The death is not believed to be being treated as suspicious, and it is understood the older person had not been abused.

The investigation is likely to centre around allegations of neglect.

A council spokesman said: "This matter has been referred to the city’s Adult Safeguarding Board and a full and thorough investigation has started.

"We can confirm that a member of staff who works in the Older People’s Mental Health Home Care team has been suspended.

"This is a neutral act to allow an inquiry into the circumstances prior to the death to be established.

"It is important to stress that at this stage there are no suspicious circumstances, and it is not possible for us to comment any further while the investigation is ongoing.

"The death of any person who is cared for by the local authority is always sad, and our sympathies are with the family at this time."