The inquest into the death of a 70-year-old Clacton woman has been opened amid a police murder probe.

Margaret Sims, from Clacton, was visiting relatives in Milton Road, Stanford-le-Hope, on the evening of Saturday, August 19.

She was found not breathing just after midnight on Sunday 20.

Paramedics attended and pronounced her dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination took place on Sunday and found the provisional cause of death to be compression of the neck.

Police are treating the death as suspicious and a 51-year-old woman who is believed to be the victim's daughter has been charged with murder.

Senior coroner Caroline Beasley Murray opened proceedings at Chelmsford Coroners Court this morning.

She said: "I am opening the inquest touching upon the death of Margaret Rose Sims.

"I am not releasing the body at this stage. I will list the matter for mention on September 8.

"I shall require a copy of the post mortem examination, a toxicology report and a copy of the police report.

"This matter is opened and adjourned with those directions."

Keeley Barnard, 51, from Chelmsford, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday charged with murder.

She spoke only to confirm her name and address and was remanded in custody until the plea hearing later this year.