A MURDER investigation is under way after a woman was found dead at a complex for people with learning difficulties and mental health problems.

Detectives were called after the body of 23-year-old Anna Banks was found at a flat in Centaur Court, off Hawley Street, Colne, just after midnight yesterday.

Police believe she may have been strangled.

Last night a man, 24, who lived at the flat, was being held by police on suspicion of murder.

A post-mortem examination yesterday revealed the cause of death as pressure to the neck.

Detective Superintendent Neil Hunter, of Lancashire Police’s serious crime unit, said Anna had also been a resident at the Centaur Court complex, run by Chorley-based care giant SLC Paragon.

The alarm is thought to have been raised by the complex’s night warden, who oversees the 14 flats.

Mr Hunter, who is leading the investigation, said: “The deceased was in the flat of another person.

"When staff went there, they found unusual marks to the body.

"There was not a massive amount of violence, which would arouse suspicion but, as a result, a man was arrested.”

Mr Hunter said he wanted to hear from anyone who had heard a ‘commotion’, or saw anything suspicious in the Centaur Court, or Hawley Street area in the early hours.

Miss Banks is believed to have moved to Colne recently from Upholland, near Wigan.

Anna's sister Sharon paid tribute today on behalf of the whole family.

She said: "Anna was always smiling, she had a lust for life, she adored her daughter and her two nephews.

"She will be sadly missed by her devastated family and friends."

Bosses at the Centaur Court complex, which offers indep-endent living for peo-ple with learning difficulties and men-tal health needs, also added their own tribute.

Charles Eggleston, SLC Group chief executive, said: “We send sincere condolences to Anna’s family and friends and our thoughts are with them all at this very tragic time.

“We are continuing to assist Lancashire Police in every way we can with their inquiry.”

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said people in the area were trying to come to terms with what had happened.

She said: “You just can’t believe something like this could happen so close to Christmas.”

Neighbours said they were shocked by the incident, with many people living in Hawley Street unaware of the death until police scene of crime investigators descended on the flats.

People living in Foulds Close, behind Centaur Court, said there had been problems with noise and disruption some time ago, but praised the approach of the current management.

Sheila Eaton said: “There was one lad who used to swear quite loudly when my granddaughter was in the garden.

"But he was moved elsewhere, in the centre, and I think he's left now."

Her husband Philip Eaton said: "Over the past 12 months there hasn't been any problems there.

"It has been superbly run. We get more noise problems from Hawley Street.

"It's just such a shock, right before Christmas."

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said he had also experienced noise problems, from one problem tenant, but this had now been resolved.

He said: "The manager comes around and sees if there are any problems.

"This is such as a shame at any time, but especially just before Christmas."

The supported living complex provides independent accommodation for people with either a learning disability or mental health requirement, assisted by on-site staff.

Flats and bungalows are provided, over three floors, with ground-floor flats for people with mobility problems.

Care workers from the complex also provide outreach services in Colne and ‘floating support’ for those trying to secure their own tenancy.

A spokesman for SLC Group, which has premises across East Lancashire, declined to comment yesterday.

The death is the second tragedy to hit the Waterside area after the death of 19-year-old Rebecca Cardwell, who collapsed at a house in Hawley Street in May after taking the party drug mephedrone.

Coun Dorothy Lord, who represents Colne’s Waterside ward on Pendle Council, said Anna’s death had shocked the whole community.

She said: “It’s a very sad thing to happen, especially at this time of year.”

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