Two people arrested in a south London slavery investigation have been bailed by police.

It comes after shocking claims were revealed yesterday of three women being held against their will at an address in Lambeth for 30 years - one of them her entire life.

Metropolitan Police officers went there at 7.30am on November 21 and arrested the two people following a call to Freedom Charity on Friday, October 8, by an Irish woman stating she had been held against her will in a house in London for more than 30 years.

She also said there were two others held with her.

A man and woman, both aged 67, were both arrested on suspicion of being involved in forced labour and domestic servitude. They have now been bailed until a date in January.

Police said the woman found the courage to contact the charity after seeing a documentary on television.

With the help of sensitive negotiations by the charity the women arranged to meet with them at an agreed location on Friday, October 25.

Two of the women - a 30-year-old British woman and a 57-year-old Irish woman - met with charity workers and the police on that day.

They identified the location where they had allegedly been held at which police would then rescue a 69-year-old Malaysian woman.

All three were taken to a place of safety that same day and they are all said to be highly traumatised and remain in care of professionals.

Police believe the women had some controlled freedom but are still trying to find out to what extent and what form this took.

Detective Inspector Kevin Hyland, from the Met's Human Trafficking Unit, said: "This is the very early stages of a complicated and sensitive investigation.

"These women are highly traumatised, having been held in servitude for at least 30 years with no real exposure to the outside world, and, trying to find out exactly what has happened over three decades will understandably take some time.

He added: "Our unit deals with many cases every year but has never unearthed such a staggering example of people held against their will for their whole life time.

"What is important now is that our investigation continues, that we achieve the best possible evidence and aim to bring those responsible to justice.

"I would stress that this is by no means common place in our society, but if there are others out there suffering a similar plight please take confidence that we will act and we will support you."

There is no evidence to suggest anything of a sexual nature, police also said.

The two people arrested are not British nationals.