A MURDER investigation which focused on three suspects, the only people in the house at the time of the killing of Linda Southwood, has been shelved.

After a year-long investigation detectives have decided not to charge either her husband Albert Southwood (62) or step-son Darren Southwood (37) due to "insufficient evidence".

Their decision comes despite the fact that in August a coroner decided at her inquest that 52-year-old Mrs Southwood had been violently killed by a "third party", suggesting it was someone in the house on the night of January 28 last year. The only people in the house were Mr Southwood, Darren and Darren's Greek girlfriend. The doors were all locked and there was no evidence of forced entry. Mr Southwood was initially the prime suspect into the murder at the family home in Pinfold Lane, Whitefield. He said that earlier that night he had argued with his wife because she rejected his "amorous advances". After two days of interviews he was released.

Last November, Darren Southwood was arrested on arrival in England from Greece. He was also questioned but never charged. Police at the time said they would be interviewing his girlfriend, Arkadia Alawanoo, if she ever returned to this country.

The inquest, conducted by Bury District coroner Barrie Williams, heard from a Home Office pathologist that Mrs Southwood's bruised body was almost certainly moved after she had died from her injuries, with her injured neck placed over the rim of a plastic waste-paper bin to make the death look like an accident.

In a statement released by police this week, Detective Superintendent Tony Simister said: "At this time there is insufficient evidence to charge either Albert Southwood or Darren Southwood.

"However, the files on the case will remain open."