A MURDER inquiry has been launched today by police following the discovery of a woman's body in a room at a hotel and leisure complex in Ramsbottom.

Police and paramedics were called to the Old Mill Hotel, Springwood Street, at 5.10am yesterday after receiving a call from the dead woman's boyfriend.

They discovered the body of Jill Wolfenden, 31, of Bolton, in one of the hotel's bedrooms. She is believed to have been suffocated.

A doctor was also called to the scene but the woman, who has a five-year-old son, was already dead.

A 26-year-old man, believed to be from Bolton, was arrested at the scene and is currently being held at Bury Police Station. He was due to be interviewed by police today.

An incident room has been set up and anyone with information is asked to contact 0161 856 8150.

A post mortem examination was due to be carried out today.

The hotel was sealed off as scenes of crime officers investigated and a Home Office pathologist attended. People who attended the three star hotel early yesterday were greeted by police officers, not reception staff.

The 36-bed hotel, a popular venue for wedding receptions with two restaurants and own leisure complex including gym, sauna and swimming pool, was carrying on business as usual today.

Hotel proprietor Karen Sacco said today: "The dead woman was a guest and had stayed here before although we know very little about her or what happened at the weekend."

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