Pc and husband found dead at home

A woman police constable and her husband have been found dead at their home in Lancashire.

Police believe Pc Claire Mace, 23, was killed and her husband, Richard Mace, committed suicide.

Officers were called to an address in Sefton Close, Clayton-le-Moors, near Accrington, at about 0830 GMT on Christmas Eve, after neighbours reported hearing a disturbance.

Detectives forced their way into the house and found the body of Pc Mace, a Lancashire Constabulary patrol officer based in Nelson, in a downstairs room.

After searching the rest of the house they found her husband's body upstairs.

Police have not said how the pair, who had no children, died.

Tribute paid

Assistant Chief Constable Adrian McAllister said: "We are treating her death as suspicious and the death of her husband as suspected suicide."

"A senior investigating officer is still investigating the full circumstances behind these tragic deaths and a report will be prepared for Her Majesty's Coroner.

"Our thoughts are with both families at this difficult time.

"Claire was a committed police officer who was well-respected within the force and had a promising career ahead of her."

Pc Mace joined the force in December 2001 and had recently completed her probation period.