A MAN has been charged with murder and attempted murder following a fire at a house.

Mark Smith, 41 of Tennyson Terrace, North Shields was charged following an arson incident in the early hours of Christmas Day at Eastcheap in Heaton.

Following the incident in Eastcheap officers conducted a search of Smith’s property on Tennyson Terrace which led to the discovery of Jillian Grant’s body.

Mr Smith will appear in court at North Shields on Friday.

A family spokesperson said: “Jillian was the kind of person who would stop and have a chat with a stranger in the street.

"She was friendly, loving and full of life; it was a genuine pleasure to be around her.

"She surrounded herself with her pets, who she loved to care for.

"Jillian also had an independent spirit, she didn’t let blindness stand in her way as she took up opportunities to travel and be a speaker for the RNIB.

"Above all, she was deeply loved by her family and will be missed by all who knew her.”