A cold case review of one of the North-East's most baffling murders was announced by police this morning.

The announcement came on the 14th anniversary of the killing of Ann Heron, whose body was found at her home on the outskirts of Darlington in 1990.

The 44-year-old had been sunbathing in her garden, at Aeolian House, on what was the hottest day of the year when the apparently motiveless attack was carried out. Her throat was cut.

Despite a massive investigation, which saw 7,000 people questioned and 1,500 forensic samples taken, police have been frustrated in their efforts to find Mrs Heron's killer.

But today, they revealed a new hope for the inquiry, with the recruitment of a recently retired senior officer beginning a major review of all evidence gathered over the years.

Former detective inspector Ian Phillips, who stepped down earlier this year after 30 years' service with Durham Police, will carry out the mammoth task.

Detective Superintendent Dave Jones said the move demonstrated "to the public and the perpetrators that we will never give up on our quest of finding those responsible".