A PENSIONER from Bolton-le-Sands has been charged with murdering his wife.

Gilbert Edwin Reghelini, 67, appeared before Lancaster Magistrates on Monday charged with murdering Shirley Reghelini, 55, of Lancaster.

The body of Mrs Reghelini was discovered at a house in Derby Road, Lancaster, at 10pm on Friday, September 1.

She had sustained severe injuries to her throat, neck and head and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Mr Reghelini, who was estranged form his wife and lived at Sunnybank Road, Bolton-le-Sands, was arrested by police and taken to Lancaster Police Station.

A police spokesman said: "We were called to an address on Derby Road on Friday at 10pm. Inside the house was the body of Mrs Reghelini who had severe cuts to her neck. We arrested a man a short time after and he was taken to Lancaster Police Station. After questioning the man, Gilbert Edwin Reghelini, was officially charged with murder."

A post mortem examination has been ordered by the coroner. On Monday he appeared before magistrates charged with murder and remanded in custody to reappear before Lancaster magistrates on Sept 11.

One neighbour said: "It's absolutely terrible that something like this can happen around here, it's just awful. We knew it was serious when we saw the police incident van and an ambulance but the last thing you think is that someone may have been murdered."