The woman whose throat was slashed in a Bank Holiday Monday incident in Wheatley has been named locally as Debbie Smith.

Ms Smith, 47, a mother-of-one died after the incident in Bell Lane yesterday afternoon.

Her partner, Russell Yeates, also suffered throat injuries and is currently in a critical condition in the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Police said the injuries were sustained after a suspected "domestic incident" and have since launched a murder probe.

Close friend and landlord of The Railway pub Tracie Lafford described Mrs Yeates, who was married last July, as an "excellent mother" and a "lovely person".

She said: "She doesn't deserve this. I am absolutely devastated.

"She was very popular, no-one disliked her. She was a loving, caring person who would bend over backwards to help you.

"Everybody is just grief stricken."

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses.

Officers were called to Bell Lane at about 4.15pm on Bank Holiday Monday following reports of a dispute between a man and a 47-year-old woman.

Both were taken to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital where the woman was pronounced dead on arrival.

Det Insp Colin Seaton, who is leading the murder investigation, said: "I would like to reassure the community of Wheatley that we are treating this as an isolated incident.

"We are still in the very early stages of the investigation and would ask anyone with information that could assist our inquiry to contact police immediately."

The woman has not yet been formally identified.

A post-mortem is expected to take place today.

Anyone with information is urged to call on 0845 8 505 505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.