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

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

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

Her 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 it is reported he is "poorly".

The 39-year-old unnamed man is under arrest in connection with the death, and detectives are still waiting to question him.

Viv Bowman, headteacher at Harry Dack School, Redcar, where Ms Grant taught part-time, from January to July this year, said it was a shock to everyone at the school when they heard the news.

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, director of Middlesbrough New Deal Education Zone, and before that a 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 will be greatly missed."

Neighbours of the couple, who had lived at the house for about a year, said they were a normal couple who kept themselves to themselves.

A team of 30 officers are 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 the police would like to speak to anyone who was in the area of Whitby Road, from 7pm to 9pm, on Friday night.

Anyone with information is asked to contact (01642) 302690.