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."