Blackpool 'murder': What we know so far - and the questions police have yet to answer

A section of Gorse Road remained taped off this morning

PLEASE NOTE: An update on the murder investigation, including the identity of the alleged murder victim, can be found by clicking here.

Police said officers were called to a home in West Park Drive, near Stanley Park, shortly before 6pm, while a section of nearby Gorse Road has also been taped off.

A woman there was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said late yesterday she had yet to be formally identified, with no approximate age given.

A 25-year-old man, from Blackpool, was arrested on suspicion of murder and kept in custody for questioning. Police did not say when or where he was arrested.

The force helicopter was pictured hovering above the area with its searchlight on at around 9pm, several hours after the alleged killing happened, but police have since said it was out for an unrelated matter.

There has been widespread speculation on social media, though officials have yet to confirm - or dismiss - any of it. A Lancashire Police spokesman declined an interview request.

The helicopter hovering above Stanley Park in Blackpool last night

Lancashire Police has not said what injuries the victim suffered, or whether an alleged murder weapon was recovered. It also did not say whether the suspect and his alleged victim knew each other.

The force did not immediately say who called police to the scene, and whether the woman was found inside or outside the home involved.

In a statement, it said: "We would like to reassure you that we do not believe there is any wider threat to the community.

Police at the scene last night (Picture: Dave Nelson)

"Patrols will be increased in the area while we conduct our enquiries."

The ambulance service said paramedics were called to West Park Drive at 5.47pm, but the call was cancelled and paramedics were redirected to Gorse Road.

There was one ambulance, one rapid response car, and an incident manager, with the first vehicle on the scene at 5.55pm.

Police remained at the scene this morning, with a blue forensics tent put up inside the garden of a £150,000 house on the corner of Gorse Road and West Park Drive, where the alleged killing happened.