The 20-year-old woman had been strangled, a post mortem examination by a Home Office pathologist revealed.

Officers said the dead woman, named as Michelle Greenwood, was in a collapsed state when she was brought into Thorne police station in Doncaster at 3.55am on Saturday.

Ms Greenwood, from Knottingley, West Yorkshire, was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where doctors battled to save her, but died at around 5.45am.

Jason Marley, aged 28, of Church Road, Stainforth, was this morning due to appear before Doncaster magistrates accused of her murder.

Ms Greenwood was taken into the front foyer of the police station on Durham Avenue early on Saturday morning.

The police station was sealed off with blue police tape and closed to the public as investigations continued, and the junction between Selby Road and Ferry Road was also cordoned off on Saturday.

Officers stood at either end of the cordons, and scene of crime officers could be seen at the locations as investigations proceeded.

Both areas have now been reopened, allowing residents from the large nearby housing estate to pass freely again.

A police spokesman confirmed a post mortem examination showed Ms Greenwood had been asphyxiated. One of South Yorkshire's highest ranking detectives, Det Supt Colin Fisher, has been brought in to lead the investigation.

Marley was arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after Ms Greenwood died. He was held in custody over the weekend.

The family of Ms Greenwood are said to be "devastated" by their loss and were too upset to talk to the media this morning. The Deputy Coroner for Doncaster, Fred Curtis, has been informed of the death and is expected to open and adjourn an inquest later this week.

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