A MAN was being questioned by police last night after a teacher was killed only yards from her home.

Young mother Andrea Howarth, 28, died after being repeatedly stabbed near her house in Wingate, County Durham, late on Friday night.

She was confirmed dead on arrival at hospital and a post-mortem examination revealed the death was due to a loss of blood, as a result of several stab wounds.

Mrs Howarth, the mother of a six-year-old son, Callum, was estranged from her husband of two years, Jonathan.

She had been drinking in the Fir Tree pub, in Wingate, on Friday, before leaving to make her way back to the house where she lived with Callum on the unfinished Manor Grange development, a mile away in the village.

They were living in a house in Chillerton Way, awaiting completion of their new home elsewhere on the estate.

The attack took place in Chillerton Way and was witnessed by residents and a site security guard, who went to Mrs Howarth's aid.

Brought up in nearby Shotton Colliery, Mrs Howarth worked at Hetton School, in Hetton-le-Hole, on Wearside. Staff at the school described her as very popular.

A 40-strong team of detectives carried out inquiries on the estate.

The man leading the investigation last night appealed for information from people who may have seen Mrs Howarth with a man at the Fir Tree.

Detective Superintendent Andy Reddick said: "We are trying to establish whether she walked home, or caught a bus or taxi."

Police will resume the search for the knife used in the attack today.

* A 28-year-old Wingate man, arrested by Hampshire Police following a request by the Durham force, at Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, at 7.30am on Saturday, was last night being questioned at Durham City police station.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 60 60 365, extension 6702632, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.