A WOMAN has admitted killing an off duty policeman who died from a knife wound to the heart.

Susan Phillipson, 41, of Skipton Road, Barnoldswick, denies the murder of her partner, 35 year old PC David Smith, at their home in September.

But when the mother-of-two appeared at Preston crown court she admitted the manslaughter of the officer.

Phillipson was remanded in custody by Judge Anthony Russell QC to a date to be fixed.

The Crown Prosecution Service must now decide whether or not to accept the plea or put Phillipson on trial for murder.

The trial on the murder charge has been provisionally set for March next year but will not go ahead if the plea is accepted.

Pc Smith served with the Ministry of Defence Police and was based at RAF Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire .

He had moved to Barnoldswick with Miss Phillipson in August 2006.

Police were called to the property on Skipton Road at 6.45pm on September 21 along with paramedics.

Mr Smith, who is a former butcher, was found bleeding profusely and died an hour later at Burnley General Hospital.

A post mortem examination subsequently found that Mr Smith had died as a result of a stab wound to the heart.

Assistant Chief Constable John Bligh, of the MOD Police, paid tribute to him after his death, saying he was a well-regarded and conscientious officer who would be missed by his colleagues and the force.

Neighbours said he was the "best neighbour anyone could as for" and was very "community minded".