THE family of a woman who was found strangled at a 65-year-old man's house have been left "absolutely distraught" by her death, according to a local community leader.

And the area where Sobia Hussain, 25, lived in Nelson is set to come to a standstill early this week when her funeral takes place.

The bodies of Alan Murphy, 65, and Sobia Hussain, 25, were discovered by relatives at his home in Rakeshouse Road, Nelson, on Wednesday.

Both had been strangled with a ligature, although police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with their deaths.

Instead they are preparing a file for the coroner to hold an inquest.

Hundreds of people are expected to her funeral at the Ghoufia Mosque, Clayton Street, Nelson on either Monday or Tuesday, said Coun Mohammed Iqbal, a friend of the Hussain family.

Coun Iqbal said Sobia Hussain lived in Bond Street, Nelson, with her family, and had a young child.

"The family are distraught. It is such a shock for everyone.

"I know her father Nazar well and have known the family for a long time.

"The family are well known in the area and I have no doubt that the funeral will be very well attended.

"Family and friends will be coming from across the country to the funeral."

He said the Hussain family were originally from the Bradford area but had lived in Nelson for 20 years.

Ms Hussain will be buried in Nelson Cemetery after her funeral.

One of the police's key lines of inquiry for the coroner will be the relationship between Mr Murphy and Ms Hussain.

A police spokesman said that at this stage they were unsure of what the pair were doing in the hours before they died.

They have appealed for any friends or acquaintances of the pair to come forward and shed light on how well they knew each other.

Forensic tests are also being to discover exactly when Mr Murphy and Sobia Hussain died. Police believe they died separately.

He was found on a staircase, while she was in a downstairs room, according to police.