POLICE have launched a murder investigation following the death of an 84-year-old woman.

Officers were called to Cleghorn Street, in the Heaton area of Newcastle, at about 5.30pm tonight.

When they arrived they found an unconscious woman, who had stopped breathing.

Attempts made to resuscitate her at the scene were unsuccessful.

She was taken to Newcastle General Hospital by paramedics, where she died shorlty afterwards.

A 46-year-old man was arrested at the scene and is tonight being questioned.

A full murder inquiry is underway.