The family of a retired teacher found murdered at her home has paid tribute to a "vivacious, popular and extremely caring" woman.

Betty Yates was found stabbed to death at her cottage Riverscroft, off Dowles Road, Bewdley on Wednesday, January 4.

Police investigating the stabbing have renewed appeals for witnesses and information as they hunt for her killer.

Mrs Yates, who turned 77 on December 28, taught locally before she retired and had lived at Riverscroft for more than 30 years.

She had lived there alone for the last seven years since the death of her husband Raymond to whom she had been married for more than 50 years.

Before his death he had been the director of a Pensnett-based company called Zone Controls.

Mrs Yates is survived by her son David and daughter Hazel, and elder sister Joan.

A family tribute released today by David and Hazel said: "Our mother was a vivacious, independent and popular person. She had a lovely character and was extremely caring. She was also very fit and active for her age.

"Naturally we are extremely shocked and saddened at the manner of her death and at this time we do not know whether we will ever come to terms with that.

"Thankfully we were able to spend some quality time together when we all got together over Christmas and those are now our final, treasured memories.

"We will always remember her with love and affection - as well as being our mother she was a true lady.

"We do not understand why or how anybody could have done this and we would urge anyone who has any idea about who is responsible or has any information at all to come forward and tell the police."

Mrs Yates was well known in the area and was a member of Wyre Forest University of the Third Age, an activities group for older people.

She hosted book readings at her home and was also a member of local art and walking groups as well as Bewdley Civic Society.

As well as walking she kept fit with regular swims at a hotel in Bewdley.

Police cordons remain preventing access to the track leading to her secluded riverside cottage while forensic examinations continue at the property and on surrounding land.

More than 40 police officers and staff are working on the murder inquiry, based from a major incident room set up at Stourport Police Station.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0300 333 3000, quoting incident reference 82-S-040112, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.