POLICE launched a murder inquiry in Colne today after a 34-year-old man was found in a flat.

Police were called to a block of flats in Brown Street East just before midnight after paramedics attended to the injured man.

A police spokesman said: "A 34-year-old man has suffered serious injuries and was taken to Burnley General Hospital where he subsequently died in the early hours of today.

"A 36-year-old woman has been arrested and is currently at Colne police station where she is waiting to be interviewed."

A post mortem examination was expected to be carried out on the man's body this afternoon.

The police have not released the name of the dead man because next of kin have still to be informed.

Neighbour Mrs Margaret Garnett said police have been in the street from early morning. She said: "There had been a police car there since we got up. We don't know the people that live at that house."

The killing happened in a large block of flats just behind the main road into Colne centre and close to Colne Municipal Hall.

A neighbour, Albert Bradley, who lives opposite to the flat where the incident occurred said: "The first thing I knew was when an ambulance arrived late last night.

"That was followed quickly by the arrival of a number of police vehicles. Four or five police officers went into the house and some time later a young woman was brought out in handcuffs."

Mr Bradley said that a man was brought out on a stretcher and with an oxygen mask over his face. He was put into an ambulance and taken away.

He said: "The couple and three or four young children, the oldest about ten, only moved into the flat about a month ago or perhaps just a little longer. I don't know anything more than that about them.

"We understand the man died this morning. I am gobsmacked about this happening so close and I am totally devastated."