MYSTERY still surrounds exactly what drove a devoted grandfather to stab his wife to death before turning a kitchen knife on himself.

Family and friends of former cable worker Derek Wood, 60, of Stephenson Street, Darlington, cannot fathom why the man they described as quiet and kind murdered 52-year-old Margaret, his wife of 27 years.

The double death has left the community in mourning and shock.

Yesterday, the couple were described as a very ordinary, happy couple, "just like anyone's mum and dad" and good people who enjoyed helping others.

But what has emerged since the murder on Thursday night, has left people in the area baffled.

The Wood's three children, Dawn, 26, Darren, 23 and Neil, 25,who lives near his parents' home, were too traumatised to speak, but released a statement saying what had happened was totally out of character.

They said: "We are a close a loving family and what has happened is an overwhelming tragedy that has left us all shocked.

"What has happened is totally out of character and it has been a very upsetting time for us all."

Mr Wood had lived in the terraced house, off Northgate, all his life, and it was there the couple brought up their three children.

They doted on grandchildren Sophie, 17 months, and Harry, 19 months.

Their children said: "Mum and Dad adored their two grandchildren and were looking forward to the imminent arrival of their next grandchild.

"They were kind and generous and would do anything for anybody."

The couple regularly helped others, looking after pets, doing odd jobs and caring for friends who were ill.

They enjoyed growing leeks on their allotment and would take part in competitions.

Mr Wood was also a regular at the social club in Northgate, just a few metres from his home.

Police forced entry into the couple's home at 11.45pm on Thursday, shortly after concerned relatives raised the alarm.

Mrs Wood was found dead in the kitchen. She had been repeatedly stabbed. The fatal blow had been to her heart.

Police entering the house followed a trail of blood upstairs to the attic room.

Mr Wood was in the backyard. He had died from a combination of self-inflicted stab wounds and a 20ft fall from the attic window. It is not known whether he fell, or jumped.

The knife was discovered in the upstairs bathroom.

Neil Wood was the last person to see his parents alive.

For much of the weekend the Wood's house was sealed off while scenes of crimes officers examined the area for clues.

But yesterday the blue tarpaulin that had been concealing the door in the quiet back street was removed. The house was eerily dark.

On Saturday, Detective Superintendent David Jones, who is investigating the murder, announced that police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the crime.

He said: "Following the findings in post-mortem examinations of the couple, we are not now looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

"Evidence suggests that after Mrs Woods' death her husband had inflicted wounds with the knife on himself immediately before he fell about 20 feet.

"Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle has been updated and a file is being put together for his consideration.

"The circumstances of the two deaths have devastated the couple's children and their close-knit, wide and extended family."