A WOMAN apparently killed yards from her home died from stab wounds, police confirmed today.

Gillian Raine was found lying in a pool of blood in a residential area of Dipton, near Stanley, County Durham, at about 7.15pm yesterday.

Police and paramedics summoned to the scene attempted to aid 53-year-old Mrs Raine but her death was certified on arrival at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham.

Witnesses said a hammer and craft knife were recovered by police from the scene, in Coleridge Gardens.

Durham Police said a post-mortem examination conducted by Home Office pathologist Stuart Hamilton revealed she died from stab wounds.

A 24-year-old man arrested nearby on suspicion of murder remains in police custody and continues to be questioned by detectives investigating the killing today.

Police would still like to speak to potential witnesses to the incident in the Coleridge Gardens area today, where floral tributes are already starting to mount.

Among them is a bouquest which appeared to have been left by Mrs Raine's only child, Pamela, who is in her 20s.

Mrs Raine's death has shocked villagers in Dipton, where she was known as something of a community champion, having been involved in several projects, including running the Collierley Primary School out-of-hours club for more than ten years.

Anyone with information about her death is asked to contact Durham Police on 0345-60 60 365 or the Crimestoppers' freephone line, anonymously, on 0800-555111.