POLICE investigating the murder of an elderly woman in Darlington have today released the name of the victim, and revealed she died from "significant head injuries".

Officers say they believe the dead woman is 80-year-old Sybil Sibthorpe, of The Stray, Darlington, however she has not yet been formally identified.

The body of the mother of two was found in the yard at the rear of an end-terrace house in Haughton Road, Darlington, at about 12.30pm yesterday.

Paramedics confirmed her death at the scene.

A post-mortem carried out at Darlington Memorial Hospital confirmed that her death was as a result of significant head injuries.

The man leading the investigation into the pensioner’s death, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Chapman said: “We believe Mrs Sibthorpe was the victim of sustained attack and sadly died as a result of injuries suffered during that attack.

"I would appeal to anyone with information about this incident to contact us.”

Mrs Sibthorpe’s 77-year-old husband William said she was “a loving wife, mother and grandmother”.

He added: "Sybil was loved by all who knew her. We love her and that is tribute enough. She was a lovely, hardworking woman and why anyone should want to hurt her, I don’t know."

Neighbour Nicola Morris, 25, spoke of her shock at learning of the death of a "lovely lady".

The mother-of-three said: "It's horrible, she was just such a quiet lady. I've got three young kids and Im scared to go out now.

"I can't imagine what her husband is going through, they were so close.

"She was so quiet and timid. Every day she was out there gardening, whatever the weather was. Thats how I'll remember her."

She added: "The people who did it deserve to rot for what they did to that old lady. She would not have harmed a soul."

Three local men arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder remain in custody at separate police stations where they continue to be questioned.

A 44-year-old is at Peterlee police station, a 40-year-old at Darlington police station and a 33-year-old at Bishop Auckland police station.

An incident room has been opened at Bishop Auckland. A team of around 40 detectives are working on the case and enquiries are continuing.

Anyone with information should contact Durham Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555111.