POLICE launched a murder-style inquiry today after the body of a 46-year-old woman was found at a house in Barnoldswick.

A 48-year-old man was being questioned today by detectives investigating the death, which is being treated as suspicious.

A post mortem is being carried out on the body of Valerie Whittall by a Home Office pathologist.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called to an address in Clifford Street at around 5am where they found the body of a woman."

This morning neighbours were shocked to see police officers standing guard outside the end terraced house.

Mrs Whittall and her husband Roger are thought to have been renting the house for around 12 months. They are believed to have been drinking heavily in recent days.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "We knew them a little. They used to sit in our garden with us. He had been made redundant a while ago and he had been a bit depressed.

"He used to work as a travelling salesman. I think he used to go round schools and colleges selling equipment."

Walter Whittaker, who lives a few doors down from the couple, added: "They've not been here long. They're from away, they're not Barlickers. I haven't seen them for a few days.

"I used to say hello if I saw them in the street and sometimes I'd see them in the kitchen as I was passing by. They kept themselves very much to themselves."

The curtains of the small terraced house were closed this morning.

A patrol car sat outside and at one point a detective walked from the house carrying a pair of protective gloves.

Forensic officers carried out a search of the house at dawn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.