A ROOFER charged with the murder of a popular North-East journalist will appear in court in March.

Lee Alan Cook, 21, of Longe Road, Norwich, has been charged with the murder of Lorraine Turner, 37, originally from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Ms Turner was found dead at her Norwich home on Saturday, August 17, by her children, Jordan, ten, and Jasmine, eight - nephew and niece of the late soccer star David Rocastle.

Mr Cook will appear at Norwich Crown Court on March 10 for a plea and directions hearing.

Ms Turner grew up in Walker Lane, Newton Aycliffe, before leaving the North-East when, in her 20s, she married BBC producer Ian Jolly.

The former pupil at Durham High School for Girls kept in regular contact with her father, Peter, who remained at the family's Newton Aycliffe home until his death in 1999.