Police hunting the killer of a mother-of-five have made an arrest.

The body of Audrey Badger, 42, was found in her house in Thornaby, near Stockton, on February 11.

Police said she had been the victim of a violent attack and believe she knew who was responsible.

She had been at a party, before her and a friend returned to Ms Badger's home in Thornaby on Friday night. She was found dead hours later.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said a 51-year-old man from Thornaby was arrested early this morning in connection with the murder.

More than 40 officers have been involved in the hunt for her killer and hundreds of residents on the estate where she lived have been questioned.

At the time of her death her 12-year-old twin daughters issued a statement through the police saying: "We loved our mum with all our hearts and her death has left them broken.

"We want to be strong for each other and other members of our family but somebody out there killed her.

"They took away a loving mum and left us with nothing but tears and heartache."