POLICE investigating the death of Blackwood businessman Reginald Penny have issued a description of a woman they want to speak to.

The woman was seen near the businessman's home in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Mr Penny, 65, who owned Blackwood Finance Limited, was found dead at his luxury home in Druidstone Road, Old St Mellons, later that day.

Although police are treating his death as suspicious, they say he had heart problems and that someone may have tried to resuscitate him. Detective Chief Superintendent Wynne Phillips, of South Wales Police, said the woman had visited a house in nearby Tyr Winch Road at about 12.15am in an agitated state and asked for a taxi.

He said: "She was about 30-years-old, between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in tall, of slim build, with dark brown hair and a pale complexion.

"She was wearing a turquoise blue-coloured, satin dress with straps on the shoulders.

"Her speech sounded foreign and was described as possibly German or Eastern European.

"We don't know what she was doing there or where she had been. "Having said that, she was in close proximity to Mr Penny's home and may have been traumatised and in need of some help.

"My appeal is for this lady to come forward, or for anybody with information who knows who this young lady is to contact the incident room.

"There may be a simple answer to what went on in Mr Penny's home that night."

Anyone with information should contact Rumney police station in Cardiff on 029 20 222111