A GRIEF-STRICKEN Ross-on-Wye father has spoken of the anguish he and his wife are suffering after their 25-year-old daughter was found strangled.

Kathryn Allen's body was discovered at her flat in Elgar Avenue, Malvern, in the early hours of Sunday morning, February 9.

Thomas and Pamela Allen said they were still in shock over their daughter's death.

"She was a bubbly happy daughter," said a tearful Mr Allen. "Kathryn moved to Malvern four or five years ago."

Several of Kathryn's neighbours also paid tribute to the mother of one, including a shocked June Barker who saw her every day.

"She was a friendly person, who had been about to enrol on a computer course and had just bought curtain rail, paint rollers and other equipment to decorate her flat," she added.

Neville Stones remembers her as a friendly, bright personality who was well liked and never said anything bad about other people.

"She was trying to get into college and better herself, to have a better life," he said.

Another neighbour, Alfred Hodges said hearing the news of the young woman's death had made him feel 'quite sick'.

He added that seeing the police tape around the surroundings of the small block of flats was disturbing.

"You see it on TV, but you never expect to see it in your own locality. When you do it comes as a bit of a shock," he added.

An inquest into Miss Allen's death was opened on Tuesday and adjourned for seven days. The cause of the death was given as manual strangulation.

A funeral service was held yesterday at 12.30 at St Mary's Church in Ross-on-Wye and cremation followed at Coleford Crematorium.

Alan Hill, aged 37, of Elgar Avenue, Malvern, has been remanded in custody by Worcester magistrates, charged with Kathryn's murder.