Three women have been rescued from a house in south London where they are believed to have been held captive.

A man and a woman, both aged 67, were arrested this morning following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Human Trafficking Unit.

The house in the London borough of Lambeth, and one of the victims was held there her entire life in domestic servitude or slavery.

The victims were rescued several weeks ago but arrests were made today.

Police were contacted in October by Freedom Charity after they received a call from a woman claiming she had been held against her will in the south London house for more than 30 years.

The woman is 30-years-old and is believed to have been held at the house her entire life.

Following negotiations police this morning rescued a 69-year-old Malaysian woman, a 57-year-old Irish woman and the 30-year-old British woman. They are not believed to be related to one another.

All three women, who were said to be highly traumatised, were taken to a place of safety.

Detective Inspector Kevin Hyland, from the Met's Human Trafficking Unit, said: "We applaud the actions of Freedom Charity and are working in partnership to support these victims who appear to have been held for over 30 years.

“We have launched an extensive investigation to establish the facts surrounding these very serious allegations."

He added: "A television documentary on forced marriages relating to the work of Freedom Charity was the catalyst that prompted one of the victims to call for help and led to their rescue."

Both arrested remain in custody at a south London police station.