A MAN was remanded in custody today charged with murdering a devoted community activist in the street.

Classroom assistant Gillian Raine, 53, was attacked outside her home in Coleridge Gardens, Dipton, County Durham, on Monday morning as she made her way to work.

She was a much-loved and highly respected member of the close-knit community in the former mining village.

Gary Thompson, 24, of Moorland View, Castleside, Consett, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates Court for a two-minute hearing.

He was told no bail application could be made at the magistrates court and the case was transferred to be heard at Newcastle Crown Court tomorrow.

Thompson, wearing a white T-shirt and flanked by two security officers, did not speak during the hearing.

After he was charged, Mrs Raine's family released a statement which said: "Gillian was a loving and much-loved daughter, sister and mother who will be greatly missed by her family and everyone who knew her.

"Gillian has devoted the last 12 years to setting up and running the out-of-hours school club for children from Dipton Colliery School and the surrounding area.

The community of Dipton has been made poorer by her loss."