DETECTIVES investigating the brutal murder of a retired Birmingham teacher have revealed that she was attacked with her own walking stick.

Betty Yates was discovered with stab wounds to her neck on January 4 at her isolated Riverscroft cottage in Bewdley, Worcestershire.

But last night, police revealed that the mother-of-two was also struck several times with a walking stick that belonged to her before she was stabbed to death.

The walking stick was recovered by forensic teams working at the cottage and is now being forensically examined along with other items.

Police have also revealed that the cottage was secure when Mrs Yates was found dead.

Police were alerted by a friend who was concerned for the 77-year-old’s welfare.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, who is leading the murder inquiry, said: “It is possible that the cottage was locked up by the killer or killers when they left using keys Mrs Yates normally carried with her.