AN INQUEST has been opened by Fylde Coroner Samuel Lee into the death of a Blackpool nurse whose body was found on wasteland in St Annes this month.

The body of auxiliary nurse 38-year-old Diane Barker, of Doncaster Road, Blackpool, was found on the seafront close to Lytham lifeboat house opposite Derbe Road, Lytham, at around 6.20am on Thursday (March 7) by a man walking his dog.

A post-mortem examination carried out by Home Office pathologist Dr Alison Armour found the cause of death was strangulation.

Mr Lee opened the inquest at Blackpool Town Hall on March 12 and adjourned it pending further inquiries.

Mrs Barker's partner, Paul Anthony Bennett, 41, also of Doncaster Road, Blackpoo,l was charged with her murder and appeared before Preston Crown Court on March 18 for a pre-trial hearing.

The case was adjourned and Mr Bennett was remanded in custody. He will appear before Preston Crown Court again on May 20.