A WOMAN found dead at her Westhoughton home last night is believed to have lain undiscovered on her kitchen floor for up to five days it emerged today.

The woman - who had not been officially identified - was discovered dead after police officers broke into her semi detached home in Lower Drake Fold, Daisy Hill.

A post mortem examination this lunchtime failed to determine the cause of her death. Samples have now been sent away for forensic examination.

Police have not released the identity of the dead woman, who is believed to be Patricia Linkman, who is in her mid 50s. She had lived alone at the address for several years.

Police were alerted at 6.20pm by a relative who had been unable to contact the woman by phone. The woman's two pet dogs were also in the house.

The home was sealed off as senior detectives and forensic officers searched the area. They found no signs of a break in.

An examination of the body discovered no marks of violence and the Coroner has now been informed.

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