A grandmother has been found murdered in her Cannock flat.

The 61-year-old woman, whose body was discovered in a ground floor flat in Avon Road, was named locally as Diane Ingram.

It was confirmed by police today she had died from stab wounds to the neck.

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A grandmother has been found murdered in her Cannock flat.

The 61-year-old woman, whose body was discovered in a ground floor flat in Avon Road, was named locally as Diane Ingram.

It was confirmed by police today she had died from stab wounds to the neck.

Detectives have launched a murder inquiry and experts from Staffordshire Police’s major investigation department have been called in to lead the investigation.

No-one has been arrested, sparking fears the killer was still on the run today.

Officers cordoned off the house and surrounding area, near the junction with Longford Road, and they remained sealed off this morning with police officers watching over the scene.

Mrs Ingram was believed to have two sons and a third child who died some years ago, as well as two grandchildren.

She had lived alone in the flat for about a year, since separating from her husband James Ingram.

Officers were called to the murder scene at just after 5pm yesterday. Speaking outside the home, Det Ch Insp Ken Raper said: “We are investigating a suspicious death at the moment and are being assisted by forensic officers and a Home Office pathologist to ascertain the cause of death in the events of the day. We are treating it as a major investigation which means it starts off as a murder scene, but we will continue to carry out our inquiries.”

Shocked neighbours have described Mrs Ingram as a friendly and kind woman.

One neighbour said: “She was a nice woman, very chirpy, very friendly and she would do anything for anyone.”