By Ben Supple

FIFE COUNCIL workers who forced open an apparently abandoned flat discovered the body of a woman in Methil this week.

Betty O’Brien (59) had not been seen since New Year’s Day.

Her death is not being treated as suspicious by the police.

Ms O’Brien, who had suffered from ill health in recent years, was known to leave her flat at Swan Court unattended at times.

The council served an abandonment notice on her property last month and were asked by the police to arrange forced entry on Tuesday.

Council head of housing Alan Davidson said, “We first tried to make contact in January when contractors were needing access to fit a new door and entry system.

“We then asked our caretakers to try to see if they could speak to Ms O’Brien and also spoke to her former partner to try to obtain contact information. These efforts were unsuccessful.”