TRIBUTES have been paid to a “popular, cheerful and bubbly” policewoman from York found murdered in woodland in West Sussex.

Surrey Police confirmed last night that the victim found at Blackdown Woods was Heather Cooper, a detective constable with the force, who was originally from the Acomb area of York.

The 33-year-old, who has a three-year-old son and a baby daughter and was on maternity leave at the time of her death, is believed to have suffered fatal head injuries.

Her partner, ex-detective constable Peter Foster, was last night being quizzed on suspicion of murder.

Surrey Police said yesterday they had been granted a further 36 hours to question him.

He is believed now to be a heating engineer, after leaving Surrey Police about two years ago.

The dense woodland where her body was discovered was only four miles from the home she shared with Mr Foster, 35, in Haslemere, Surrey.

Last night the detached property remained sealed off as forensic experts searched the property.

Heather joined Surrey Police in 2003 and worked in the public protection investigation unit, based at Guildford Police Station.

During her career she received several letters of praise from senior officers for her work on various crimes, and in 2009 was given a commendation by the force in recognition of her “professionalism, dedication and commitment”.

It is believed Heather’s parents, Caroline and James Cooper, travelled from York to Surrey yesterday to identify their daughter’s body. A post-mortem examination was later carried out at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford.

Heather, who grew up in Acomb, was a keen horse rider, having trained at the Naburn Grange Riding Centre for many years.

She later studied equestrian science at Bishop Burton College, in East Yorkshire, before training to be a policewoman.

Denise Lancashire, chief riding instructor at Naburn Grange Riding Centre, said she remembered Heather being a “popular, cheerful and bubbly” girl who spent years at the stables until she left 14 years ago.

“She was always part of the gang,” Denise said. “I remember one time she showed one of my mares at a competition once.

“I still have that photo on my mantelpiece. She was a very, very good rider. She would be down here several times a week, she loved her time here.

“She had a horse here herself and she had lots of friends.

“The news has shocked us all.”

Olivia Pinkney, Surrey and Sussex assistant chief constable, said: “Heather’s death has had a profound effect on all who knew her and we are doing everything we can to support her family at this difficult time.

“She was an exceptional officer and much loved among her police colleagues, many of whom were also her friends. “The police service is in many ways like a family. The death of any officer is always a time of sadness, but to lose Heather under such circumstances has been particularly hard to bear.

“I cannot praise enough the professionalism of Heather’s friends and colleagues within the force, many of whom have continued to do their jobs at a time of personal grief.”