A PENSIONER was arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a 42-year-old woman in Middlesbrough.

The victim has not yet been formally identified.

The Northern Echo:

"Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a 42-year-old woman from Hemlington," said a spokeswoman for Cleveland Police.

"Officers were called to a house on Farthingale Way on Friday evening following reports that the woman was unresponsive."

"Detectives are working to establish the events surrounding the woman’s death, but at this stage the death is being treated as suspicious. Post-mortem results show that the woman died as a result of a head injury," she added.

"A 73-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and has been released on bail as police continue their enquiries."

The Northern Echo:

Forensic officers and detectives are working at the scene and support is being provided to the woman’s family.