DETECTIVES investigating the suspected murder of grandmother Alison Connolly continue to race against the detention clock as three women remain in custody in connection with the death.

The 49-year-old mother of eight, of Penhill Drive, was found stabbed at the bottom of a communal stairway in Evelyn House in Park South on Tuesday afternoon, and despite efforts to revive her, she died shortly afterwards at Great Western Hospital. Police soon arrested two teenagers and a 23-year-old.

The custody time limit, which is usually set at 24 hours, has now been extended twice as magistrates granted an application from detectives to keep the women in for questioning.

On Wednesday, a superintendent granted an additional 12 hours of custody, but under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, only a magistrates bench can allow officers to detain suspects any longer, up to a maximum of 96 hours after they were brought in.

After the warrant was granted, officers now have an additional 36 hours of time to gather evidence, and will be reviewed at least every nine hours by an inspector.

A further extension could be applied for tomorrow, and detectives will have to either charge or bail the three women by Saturday evening at the latest.

Police are continuing to appeal for information after the assault, which happened in the middle of the day near Cavendish Square, which would have been busy with people.

Detective Inspector Tim Corner, of the Major Crimes Team, said: "We are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Royston Road, Evelyn House, or Cavendish Square, between the hours of midday and 5pm, to contact us as a matter of urgency.

"People often do not realise how much the little snippets of information fit in to the set of circumstances that lead to a death.

"That is what is crucial to an investigation, and it is really important that people come forward and talk to us, even if they don't think it's particularly important."

Anyone with information should contact Wiltshire Police on non-emergency number 101, or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.