Extra time to hold murder suspect

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Police have been granted more time to question a man arrested over the murder of a strangled nurse whose body was found at the wheel of a crashed car.

The body of Kate Mott, of Southport, Merseyside, was found in a Ford Focus which crashed in Pool Hey Lane in Scarisbrick, Lancashire, on Thursday.

A post-mortem examination found the 35-year-old died of strangulation.

A man, 31, from Southport, was arrested on suspicion of murder and police have now been given more time to hold him.

The Ford was found in the field about 100ft (30m) from the road.

Search for blanket

Detectives initially believed Mrs Mott's death was due to an accident but a murder investigation was started when the nature of her injuries became apparent.

The mother of two worked in the intensive care unit at Southport and Formby District General Hospital as a staff nurse.

Det Insp Dave Keegan said: "I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or recovered a carpeted boot lining from a Ford Focus or a checked green blanket.

"Also, we are still appealing for anyone who may have seen a blue Ford Focus, registration KC0 5FVG, in the 24 hours before its discovery, or who has seen anything suspicious to come forward and speak to us."