A man has been charged with murdering a woman who was found dead by police.

Andrew Bell, 44, of Darlington, is accused of killing Leanne Park, 44, in the town on Wednesday.

Durham Police said she was pronounced dead at an address in Parkgate at about 21:15 BST. Her family said she was the “best mam, nana, daughter and friend we could wish for”.

Bell is due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

A 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail, the force said.

A spokesperson said crime scene investigators would continue to work at the scene and a police cordon was “expected to remain in place for some time”.

Anyone with information about the murder is urged to contact detectives.

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