THE families of a murdered Nelson policewoman and her husband were today looking to start making funeral arrangements following the release of the two bodies.

PC Clare Mace was stabbed to death by her husband Richard, who then killed himself at their home in Clayton-le-Moors on Christmas Eve.

Police leading the investigation into the double death of the couple were speaking to the coroner about releasing the bodies to their families later today.

But inquiries are continuing into the circumstances of the Christmas Eve tragedy.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell today said: "I am hoping to speak to the coroner later today to see whether the bodies of PC Mace and her husband can be released. Inquiries are continuing but there are no further updates at this stage."

Post mortem examinations have now been carried out and once the bodies of the couple are released their families will be able to start arranging their funerals.

Police were called to the couple's house in Sefton Close around 8.30am on Christmas Eve after a neighbour reported a disturbance.

Officers found PC Mace's body, which had suffered stab wounds made by a six-inch kitchen knife, in a downstairs room.

They then discovered 26-year-old Richard, who worked as an asylum seeker support worker in Wrexham, upstairs.

He is believed to have slit his wrists with the same knife.

The couple, married since October 1998, had lived in Sefton Close for about a year. They had separated a week before their deaths.

PC Mace, who worked in Nelson, was born in Burnley where she attended Towneley High School.

She joined the Army when she left school and this is where she met Richard, who was originally from Middlesbrough.

PC Mace joined the police force two years ago and had recently completed her probationary period, settling into her role at Nelson Police Station.