A MURDER trial is set to begin today after the death of teaching assistant Lindsay Birbeck.

The mother-of-two's body was found in Accrington Cemetery on August 24. The 47-year-old had been missing since August 12.

A post-mortem examination showed she died as a result of compression of the neck.

On August 31, detectives charged a 16-year-old boy, from Accrington, with her murder.

Now aged 17, the boy denies the murder and will appear before Preston Crown Court to face trial today.

He cannot be named for legal reasons.

Lindsay worked as a teaching assistant at Ightenhill School, Alder Street in Burnley.

Her disappearance prompted a large-scale search by police and members of the community.

READ > Lindsay Birbeck murder trial - live updates from Preston Crown Court

Paying tribute, her family said: "Lindsay was a great mum and wife, much-loved daughter, loving aunty and sister-in-law and a great friend too."

Visit lancashiretelegraph.co.uk for live updates from court.