A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found dead in Kearsley.

The woman, who was aged 41, was found dead at her home in Lord Street on Thursday morning.

She has been named by police as mum-of-three Carolyn Sharrocks.

Police have today swooped to arrest a 39-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

The man, a relative of Ms Sharrocks, who it is understood was a single mother, is now in police custody for questioning.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out, but has failed to establish the cause her death.

Police were called just after 8.30am on Thursday after a family member found Ms Sharrocks' body.

It is thought that she was found on the upstairs landing of the house.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “I usually saw her every morning and evening when I dropped my son at school.

"She would be dropping hers off or picking him up, but over the last couple of months we haven’t seen her at all.

“Recently I’ve only seen her daughter taking to or picking up her son from school or another man who I didn’t recognise.

“It’s a massive shock and such a shame for the children, she was a lovely lady.”

Another neighbour said: “It’s absolutely shocking and tragic, especially for the three children involved.

“All we can say is that she was a lovely girl and as far as we knew we thought she had died of natural causes.”

A third neighbour added: “It’s a complete shock - my children know hers and we can’t believe it.

“We don’t know any information about it yet but it’s sad news to find out.”