DETECTIVES are awaiting the results of further tests after a post-mortem examination failed to explain the death of a woman found in a garage in a village near York.

North Yorkshire Police say the examination yesterday afternoon proved "inconclusive". It is hoped the findings of additional tests will establish a cause of death, although there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

Police forced entry to a house in Main Street, Upper Poppleton, at 7pm on Monday after neighbours said they had not seen the owner for some time. The woman's body was found in a garage next to the house.

The body has yet to be identified, but the householder is known to be Valerie Luckett, a widow in her 50s.

Updated: 10:34 Thursday, February 19, 2004