POLICE have arrested a man in connection with the death of a mother whose body lay in her home for three weeks before she was found.

Christine Longworth, 33, was found dead with multiple stab wounds at her home in Chopwell, Gateshead, last Tuesday.

The mother-of-five had lived alone in William Street. The alarm was raised when neighbours noticed her Christmas decorations were still up.

Her children, aged up to ten, who are with foster and adoption families, have been told of her death.