A WIFE has been arrested on suspicion of killing her newlywed husband after he was stabbed to death in an alleged attack at their home.

Ian Roger Osliffe, 34, was taken to Blackburn Infirmary early yesterday after paramedics were called to the couple's house in Green Park, Whalley.

Surgeons operated to try and save him but Mr Osliffe, understood to be a father of a young son from a previous relationship, died yesterday morning.

Mr Osliffe's wife of five weeks, Catherine Marie, formerly Johnson, was arrested on suspicion of killing her husband.

The 32-year-old was due to be questioned by police today.

Forensic officers searched the couple's semi-detached house yesterday.

Police also conducted house-to-house inquiries while shoppers and drinkers in the village centre were also interviewed.

Mr Osliffe's parents are thought to live in the village, and neighbours said he also has a brother in Whalley.

A police spokesman said: "We are investigating a suspicious death in Whalley.

"A woman who lived at the same address has been arrested on suspicion of killing him."

One neighbour said: "The first we heard was when an ambulance came first thing in the morning but word spread around the village very quickly that he had died.

"There had been a party there the night before. They seemed such a happy couple.

"It shocked us all. This sort of thing never happens in Whalley.

"I cannot remember the last time there were so many policemen around."

People in two of the village pubs -- the Swan and the Dog Inn -- were stunned.

Many had been at the couple's wedding on April 30 at the village parish church.

Norman Atty, a Ribble Valley parish councillor, said: "It is a total shock to everybody in Whalley."

Friends of the couple said Catherine hastwo daughters from a previous relationship and is originally from the Langho area.

Mr Osliffe's son lives in the Chatburn area, the friends added.