A WOMAN found dead in her home the day after a violent street row died from a head injury, police revealed today.

Christine Moore's body was discovered by a neighbour looking through the back window of her home in Emma Street, Accrington, on Saturday evening, sparking a murder-style inquiry.

The night before, officers had been called to a "violent altercation" during which she was assaulted by a man. It took place at 9.30pm near the corner of Emma Street and Persia Street.

Christine, pictured right at a family wedding two years ago, refused to make a complaint to police but was not seen alive again and was found dead at 11pm the next day, police said.

A post mortem examination revealed she had injuries to her body, and a head injury that proved fatal. A Home Office pathologist found the death was suspicious and murder squad detectives are conducting an inquiry into her death. No weapon has yet been found.

Ms Moore, 51, lived alone at the house, which she had been renting for only a couple of weeks. Police said she was known to be a heavy drinker.

Yesterday officers were with relatives, who were said to be "very shocked." Police were also hoping to carry out house to house inquiries.

The mother-of-two had never been married but had a partner at the time of her death. He has been spoken to by police but has not been questioned about the assault.

Detective Superintendent Mick Turner, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are treating the death as suspicious. We are trying to ascertain whether the incident on Friday is linked to the death.

"We want to speak to anyone who saw the altercation take place and also to anyone who saw the victim recently."

Neighbour David Fallon said he had seen lights on in the house over the last few weeks and had seen a man and woman in the house although he had never met Ms Moore.

"Normally the lights were on and the curtains were open, but it always looked like an empty house," he said.

Another resident, Muriel Smith, said: "It was a shocker to hear something had been going on down there and something horrible had happened. It's horrible to think something like that can happen. You see it on television but not at the end of your street."

An incident room has been set up at Accrington Police Station and officers are appealing for anyone with any information to contact them on 01254 382141, or anonymously on the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.