TRIBUTES have been paid to primary school teacher Lesley Grant who was found stabbed to death in her kitchen.

Police went to her home in Whitby Road, Loftus, after receiving a 999 call just after 9pm on Friday.

There they found Ms Grant, 43, lying in a pool of blood. She had suffered multiple stab wounds.

Her 39-year-old partner was also found in the kitchen suffering from stab wounds. He was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital where surgeons performed an emergency operation. He is still in hospital, where he is reported to be in a 'poorly' condition.

He is under arrest in connection with Ms Grant's death and detectives are waiting to question him.

Viv Bowman, headteacher at Harry Dack School, Loftus, where Ms Grant taught part-time from January to July this year, said the news was a shock to everyone at the school. She said: "She was a very nice person who got on well with all the staff and the children."

Her views were echoed by John Wiffen, now director of Middlesbrough New Deal Education Zone and previously headteacher at Whinney Banks Junior School, Middlesbrough, where Ms Grant had taught since September.

He said: "The death of Ms Grant has caused a great deal of shock to everyone who knew her at the school.

"Although she had only been here a short time, she was a popular, well-respected member of staff. She really enjoyed teaching and she will be greatly missed."

A team of 30 officers is involved in the investigation, which has so far included a search of the property and surrounding area.

An incident room has been set up at Redcar Police Station and officers would like to speak to anyone who was in the Whitby Road area between 7pm and 9pm on Friday. Anyone with information is asked to call (01642) 302690