THE husband of a woman who was found dead in her North-East home has been charged with her murder.

Mother-of-four Susan Ann Forster was pronounced dead at her home in Gurlish West, Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, shortly after 2am on Tuesday after being found unconscious with serious injuries.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene by a concerned neighbour.

Mrs Forster was given medical attention, but was pronounced dead at the scene and a murder investigation launched.

Charles Forster, 62, whose address was also given as Gurlish West, Coundon, was yesterday charged with her murder and remanded in police custody.

He is expected to appear before South Durham Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, this morning.

Mrs Forster was the mother of two daughters and two sons, and worked full-time as a carer at the nearby Howlish Hall Nursing Home, in Coundon.

Her children released a statement yesterday paying tribute to their mother, which said: “She was a loving mother and we are devastated at losing her.”

They requested that the media leave them to grieve in private.

Mrs Forster was described by neighbours as a quiet but pleasant woman who kept herself to herself.

Two terraced houses in Gurlish West remained cordoned off and under police guard yesterday as investigations into her death continued.

Several bouquets of flowers had been placed under the cordon, outside the house where Mrs Forster lived, in tribute to her.

Meanwhile, the police officer leading the inquiry, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Goundry, renewed his appeal to anyone with information that might help the investigation to contact police.

An incident room has been set up at Bishop Auckland police station, which can be contacted on 0345-60-60-365, or call Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800-555-111.