THE horror house in which former Harwood businessman Daniel O'Brien was axed to death by his lover is set to be cleaned up this week.

Police are to allow painters, decorators and joiners into the house for the first time since Janet Charlton killed the 41-year-old on May 23, 2001.

They will clear up the debris left by forensic scientists who, in the weeks following the killing, pulled furnishing and fittings from the expensive home in Midgely, West Yorkshire.

Det Chief Supt Paul Johnston, who led the inquiry into the wealthy businessman's death, said the house had been left untouched since the killing in case defence experts had wanted to conduct their own forensic tests.

The house will be handed to Mr O'Brien's mother, Elizabeth, aged 72, after the clean-up. Mr Johnston said: "There's quite a lot of work to do to get it back in a reasonable state for the lady so she can sell it. It's my intention to release it to Mrs O'Brien just as soon as we can."

He explained the police had a "moral obligation" to lessen Mrs O'Brien's pain. "There is an onus on us to put right what has been damaged as part of the investigation," he added.

Charlton, a 36-year-old former prostitute, was sentenced to five years for manslaughter last month. She had axed Mr O'Brien 20 times. A jury at Leeds Crown Court cleared her of murder.

Mr Johnston said: "There is going to be a time very soon when Mrs O'Brien will have to re-enter her son's home. It is something we both dread."

Mrs O'Brien has indicated to the Bolton Evening News that she would be seeking a buyer for the property which is estimated to be worth around £275,000.