A MAN was last night charged with the murder of his 28-year-old wife after she died of stab wounds near her North-East home at the weekend.

Schoolteacher Andrea Howarth, who had only recently been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, was found dying in Chillerton Way, on the newly-constructed Manor Grange estate, in Wingate, on Friday night.

Her husband of two-and-a half-years, Jonathon Mark Howarth, 28, had been questioned by police in Durham City, after being arrested in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, on Saturday morning.

Mrs Howarth had moved into a temporary home on Manor Grange estate last Wednesday to wait for the completion of a new house nearby.

Floral tributes, including one from her son Callum, who is now with his natural father in Darlington, were yesterday placed at her door.

Mrs Howarth had spent Friday evening at the Fir Tree pub, in Wingate, and took the No22 Arriva Durham to Hartlepool bus home and police would like to hear from anyone who was also on the bus.

Shortly after 10pm, a security guard on the estate was alerted to an incident and found her lying in the road.

Shaun Burke, who is employed by estate developers Wimpey ripped off his shirt to try to stem the flow of blood from Mrs Howarth's injuries.

Speaking at the weekend, he said: "It was horrific to see something like that happening. I just wish there was more I could have done."

Police said yesterday that forensic tests were being carried out on a kitchen knife found on allotments at the rear of North Road, in the village.

Mrs Howarth's elder sisters, Elaine Ramsey and Julie Briggs, and her brother, Billy Metcalfe, said yesterday: "Andrea was the gentlest, most loving person you could wish to know. She had a wide circle of friends who will miss her.

"Her life centred around her son, Callum, her home life and her profession as a schoolteacher.

"Andrea was an outgoing person, whose openness and honesty left no one in any doubt of her feelings and opinions. She was a fun-loving person and always made the room come to light whenever she entered."

At Hetton School, where Mrs Howarth taught IT, headteacher Richard Horn said: "Andrea had only been with us for a term-and-a-half. During that time, she had shown herself to be an effective teacher and a valuable member of staff.

"She was always friendly, pleasant and cheerful. She will be badly missed by all pupils, including those she taught in her tutor group.

"All our thoughts and sympathies at this time are with her family and close friends.''

* Jonathon Howarth, a mature student at the University of Sunderland and a part-time barman at the Fir Tree public house, will appear before magistrates in Peterlee today.