A Darlington man will appear in court today accused of killing his 27-year-old girlfriend in a knife attack.

Anthony Keith Hilton, 30, of Sparrow Hall Drive, has been charged with the murder of Nicola Gina Impett and will appear at Darlington Magistrates Court this morning.

Yesterday, neighbours living near Nicola's parents' home in Winchester Way, Darlington, where her body was found, were still coming to terms with the tragedy.

As floral tributes were left outside the front door, friend and neighbour Linda Gallop said everyone was in a state of shock.

She said: "Mike and Gina are my best friends. I didn't know Nicola very well, but her parents are devastated. It is a diabolical thing to happen.''

Another neighbour, who lives across the road from the four-bedroomed detached house, said no one knew anything of her death until the police arrived.

He said: "I was doing the garden when two police cars pulled up outside the house.

"They kept it quiet all day and we had no idea what was going on until we heard it on the news.''

Other neighbours described Nicola - who lived in Darlington but was staying at her parent's home to look after their two golden retrievers - as a quiet girl who kept herself to herself.

Bosses at mobile phone firm Orange in Darlington, where she had worked for six years, paid tribute to her. A spokes-person said: "She had a clerical job and was one of the longest-serving Orange employees.

"Colleagues and friends at Orange are very shocked and saddened by this news and our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.''

Nicola's parents, who were on holiday in Wales, travelled back to identify her body late on Friday night. Last night, her brother, Christopher, was believed to be with them.

Scenes of crime officers were still examining the house yesterday, where a knife has already been recovered.

A search was also carried out by forensic scientists from the Home Office laboratories at Wetherby, North Yorkshire.

Detective Superintendent Tom Ryan, who is leading the investigation, said that a post-mortem examination carried out at the Memorial Hospital in the early hours of Saturday revealed Nicola had received multiple stab wounds.

He said that it was clear from the examination of the scene that she had tried to fight off her attacker.

On Saturday, police cordoned off The Northern Echo offices, in Priestgate, Darlington, where Mr Hilton works as an electrician, while they searched the roof.

Police are now trying to piece together Nicola's movements before her death.

She had last spoken to her mother at about 9pm on Thursday evening and police want to speak to anyone who might have seen her in or around Winchester Way after that time.

Anyone who can help should contact the incident room on (01325) 467681